SHAPINSAY

The small island of Shapinsay can be seen from Orkney's capital Kirkwall, and consists mainly of rolling farmland. The main point of interest on the island is Balfour Castle, built by the Balfour family of Westray in 1848 using the proceeds of their adventures in India. The castle is now a private house, and therefore not open to visitors - the link provided gives some information about the property dating from before this time. The village of Balfour was built to house the workers from the castle's estate. The ferry crossing to Shapinsay from Kirkwall takes less than thirty minutes and used to include entrance to the castle, but now visitors are limited to wandering the island, which apart from the castle has an Iron Age broch (drystone tower) called the Burroughston Broch. There are some rocks nearby where seals can be seen lazing around. Birdwatchers should head to the Mill Dam RSPB reserve, where the hide can be used to spy on the teal, shovelers, wigeon and occasionally pintails which use the wetlands here for breeding. There are sea caves and cliffs on the east coast, while the best sandy bay is at Sandgarth Bay in the southeast.

Map of the area.

Shapinsay Pier. Photo by Catherine Morgan, via Wikimedia Commons.