Shapinsay

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Shapinsay is one of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. The main village on the island is Balfour, from which ferries sail to Kirkwall on the Orkney Mainland. The village is dominated by the Scottish Baronial-style Balfour Castle, built in 1848 by the Balfour family who owned Shapinsay and has made their fortune in 18th century India. The castle is now a hotel.

With an area of twelve square miles, Shapinsay is the eighth largest Orkney Island.

Shapinsay is also known for the Iron Age Broch of Burroughston and the Dishan Tower, built in the 17th century as a dovecote, then after the construction of the castle, it was converted into a saltwater shower building. The former smithy now houses the island's museum.

Shapinsay is also known for its sea caves and cliffs of its coast, and for birds including pintail, wigeon and shovelers.

Quholm in the north east of Shapinsay was the birthplace of the father of American writer Washington Irving, author of Rip van Winkle. Some Orcadians claim a link between the Rip van Winkle story and the local folklore of creatures called trows [1].

Orkney Ferries links Shapinsay to Kirkwall on the Orkney Mainland. Orkney Islands Council is considering the possibility of constructing a tunnel between Shapinsay and Orkney Mainland[2].