A new search to find the UK’s best-kept secrets has named an uninhabited Scottish island as the top wild beauty spot.
With Google searches for ‘things to do near me’ up 250% and rising, research by car brand MINI has picked out big days out this summer that avoid overcrowding at the usual beauty spots.
The longlist of 100 was judged against two sets of criteria, which were used to measure both their ‘visitor rating score’ or ‘popularity’ (what the general public think) and ‘wildness’ (lesser-known adventure spots).
The average of the two determined a final score out of 100 and gave a treasure trove of places to explore, revealing the best wild, hidden gems of 2021.
The uninhabited tidal island of Uyea in Shetland, Scotland takes the coveted top spot as the UK’s best hidden gem according to the research.
It beat out the likes of Pedn Vounder Beach in Cornwall and Fingal's Cave on the Isle of Staffa to win with a visitor rating of 108 and a Wilderness Score of 100.
The Top Ten Big Day Out Adventure Spots:
Rank |
Location |
County |
Country |
1 |
Uyea |
Shetland |
Scotland |
2 |
Llyn Dinas |
Gwynedd |
Wales |
3 |
Binevenagh |
County Londonderry |
Northern Ireland |
4 |
Gaping Gill |
North Yorkshire |
England |
5 |
Whiteless Pike |
Cumbria |
England |
6 |
Llyn Glaslyn |
Gwynedd |
Wales |
7 |
Pedn Vounder Beach |
Cornwall |
England |
8 |
Sgwd Yr Eira |
Powys |
Wales |
9 |
The Roaches |
Staffordshire |
England |
10 |
Fingal's Cave |
Inverness-shire |
Scotland |
The MINI team said: "It doesn’t get much wilder than Uyea. This stunning uninhabited island in Northmavine received our maximum wildness score, as well as 5-star ratings from both Google and Tripadvisor.
"It’s perhaps the smallest setting for your big adventures, but its wild beauty is really something to behold. Amongst the stunning nature, you’ll also find the ruins of Saint Olaf’s Chapel.
"You can only access the island on foot via a connecting beach at low tide but the trip is worth it, with its natural arches and rocky climbs it’s truly one of the most magical places to visit in the UK."
While Fingal’s Cave, which was the only other Scottish location in the top 10 was described as "one of the most unique structures you’ll ever see" with its natural Basalt columns inside feature hexagonal patterns that almost seem man-made.
The MINI team added: "Fingal’s Cave offers a striking experience, and over the years its inspired J. M. W. Turner, Sir Walter Scott and even Pink Floyd. And it’s not just artists who adore Fingal’s Cave. Visitors gave this dreamy location 4.8 stars on Google."
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