Haroldswick or Harold's Wick (Old Norse: Haraldsvík, meaning "Harald's bay"), is on Unst, Shetland Islands, and is one of the most northerly settlements in the British Isles.
The wick takes its name from the Viking King Harald, and is reputed to be the first landing point for the Vikings on the Shetland Islands. A Viking grave, attributed to Harold, has been found on the nearby Setter's Hill, overlooking the landing point.
The bay is located some 615 km (382 mi) north of the closest UK city, Inverness, in Scotland's Highland region and 1,310 km (810 mi) from London. Even Lerwick, the Shetland's capital and only town, is some 96 km (60 mi) to the south. However, Haroldswick's claim to be the northernmost settlement in the UK is surpassed by the tiny hamlet of Norwick-Skaw, situated 8 km (5.0 mi) to the north.
The Methodist Church at Haroldswick is the most northern church in Britain.
For many years, Haroldswick Post Office was the most northerly in the UK and visitors could get a special postmark. Since the office's closure in 1999, this record is now held by the post office in Baltasound.
Thanks to Merja, I am now one of the lucky ones having a cover with a special postmark of Haroldswick Post Office.
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