It contains several brochs and ruined chapels and is an important fishing station.

Of the original Pictish inhabitants remains exist in the form of stone circles (three in Unst and two in Fetlar) and brochs (of which 75 examples survive).

The original inhabitants were Picts, evidence of whose occupation still exists in numerous weems or underground houses, chambered mounds, barrows or burial mounds, brochs or round towers, and stone circles and standing stones.

Fergusson, The Brochs and Rude Stone Monuments of the Orkney Islands (1877); J.

The Westside also has several ruined brochs - fortified circular stone towers dating from around the time of Christ.