Travel Guide Shapinsay

Located northeast of Mainland and 30 minutes by ferry from Kirkwall, Shapinsay is a green, fertile and rather flat island. Its highest point is Ward Hill (65 m). It is said that it was the refuge of thieves and witches. Today, it is a haven for cormorants, kittiwakes and seals. It offers an RSPB bird sanctuary at Mill Dam and is home to an elegant Victorian castle, Balfour Castle (private). The village of Balfour was built to house the craftsmen employed on the estate. Prehistoric remains, such as the Standing Stones of Mor Stein and the Broch of Burroughston, are also worth visiting.