Balfour is a hamlet with a small harbour situated on the south coast of Shapinsay. It boasts Balfour Castle, completed in 1848 and now a hotel. The village was built in the mid 19th century to supply accommodation for the craftsmen and islanders who built the castle. The nearby marshland was dammed to provide water for a mill. Today the Mill Dam is a reserve, owned and managed by the Royal Society for the protection of Birds. Shapinsay is surprisingly easy to reach. The direct car ferry to Kirkwall takes about 25 minutes.
Please visit www.shapinsay.org for more information on Balfour in Shapinsay.
