Shapinsay Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Fields above the east end of Veantro Bay, Shapinsay Photographer is near the northwest edge of the main road.
Photo by C Michael Hogan (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Mill Dam showing formation of southern outflow burn, Shapinsay This RSPB reserve provides feeding and resting habitat for a variety of birds, which are visible from the hide situated near the point of this photograph. This is arguably the most productive wetland on the island of Shapinsay. In the upper right one can see the formation of the outflow burn; moreover, in the extreme upper right is a small slice of the sea at Balfour Village, at which location the outlet burn from Mill Dam reaches the sea.
Photo by C Michael Hogan (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Sea stack at southern edge of Lingavi Geo, Shapinsay east coast. With seabirds on cliffs and shoreline rocks.
Bay of Linton, Shapinsay, Orkney Islands. The foreground is a marshy meadow. At the right centre is a portion of the ruined chapel illustrated on the OS map.
Photo by C Michael Hogan (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Ruined chapel and rock beach, Shapinsay The chapel ruins are difficult to see due to the one metre high rough grass. The drystone wall at the centre is in good repair. The rock sheeted beach adjoins Linton Bay.
Photo by C Michael Hogan (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
The Ayre Hotel

The Ayre Hotel

3 out of 5
Ayre Road Kirkwall Scotland
The price is Rp1.261.923 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
Rp1.261.923
Rp1.514.308 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kirkwall. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (230 reviews)
This was our second stay in a matter of weeks and both were excellent. Friendly, welcoming, professional and efficient staff, a very nice room, and excellent food. I hope we will be back.

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

The Ayre Hotel
Albert Hotel

Albert Hotel

3 out of 5
Mounthoolie Lane Kirkwall Scotland
The price is Rp2.271.461 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
Rp2.271.461
Rp2.725.753 total
16 Mar - 17 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Kirkwall. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
Albert Hotel
The Stromness Hotel

The Stromness Hotel

2 out of 5
The Pierhead Stromness Scotland
The price is Rp1.833.995 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
Rp1.833.995
Rp2.200.794 total
18 Mar - 19 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Stromness. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, housekeeping and a coffee shop/cafe. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7/10 Good! (84 reviews)
The hotel closed all food and beverage service. There was a notice on their website but no notice on Expedia. The surrounding town was largely closed too, so being without food options was not acceptable. The hotel emailed to confirm my reservation. I complained and asked for a cancellation and refund. ...

Reviewed on 16 Feb 2026

The Stromness Hotel
See all 77 properties in Shapinsay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stromness Apartments

Stromness Apartments

3.5 out of 5
Milldam, Cauldhame Road, Orkney Stromness Scotland
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Stromness. Enjoy free parking, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Stromness Ferry Terminal and Piers ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (25 reviews)
Rural but walk to city
Fantastic location, farmland but walking distance to town. Home-like.

Reviewed on 21 Sept 2025

Stromness Apartments
Withi-gill - Cottage - Bay of Ireland Views

Withi-gill - Cottage - Bay of Ireland Views

3 out of 5
Stromness Scotland
Stay at this cottage in Stromness. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Standing Stones of Stenness and Maes Howe are located ...
Withi-gill - Cottage - Bay of Ireland Views
Castleyards Apartment 12

Castleyards Apartment 12

3.5 out of 5
12 Castleyards Kirkwall Scotland
Stay at this apartment in Kirkwall. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and Netflix. Popular attractions Orkney Museum and Orkney Wireless Museum are located ...
Castleyards Apartment 12
See all properties in Shapinsay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Balfour Castle

After visiting Balfour Castle, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Shapinsay. While you're in the area, stroll along the waterfront.

Balfour Castle

Orkney Brewery

Find out about the history of Shapinsay when you spend time at Orkney Brewery. While you're in the area, stroll along the waterfront.

Orkney Brewery

Things to do

Orkney Mainland Private Tour

Orkney Mainland Private Tour

Rp5.387.899
per adult
Orkney Mainland Private Tour
Skara brae

Orkney Islands Private Full Day Tour

Rp14.673.426
per adult
Orkney Islands Private Full Day Tour
Cliffs of Yesnaby

Private Tour Discover Orkney with Pick-Up

Rp6.419.624
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Private Tour Discover Orkney with Pick-Up
Historic Orkney Private Odyssey Tour by a native Islander

Historic Orkney Private Odyssey Tour by a native Islander

Rp12.036.795
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Historic Orkney Private Odyssey Tour by a native Islander
Orkney Spirits A Whiskey Journey Through Time

Private Orkney Spirits A Whiskey Journey Through Time

Rp45.319.924
per adult
Private Orkney Spirits A Whiskey Journey Through Time
Scapa Tours

Scapa Tours

Rp21.780.868
per traveller
Scapa Tours
See all activities in Shapinsay

Cities near Shapinsay

St. Magnus Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and a cemetery

Kirkwall