The landscape of Shapinsay is quite unusual for Orkney, with straight roads
and a regular field grid system designed and imposed by the 19th century
Laird, David Balfour. The system removed the old layout of runrigs, or long
narrow strips of land, enabling more of the land to be used and production
increased.
Balfour Castle, a Scottish Baronial castle designed by the architect David
Bryce, is actually an extension to an older house called Cliffdale. The
original house has been largely extended to the north and south, with the
newer part of the building reflecting the Baronial style with conically
roofed turrets, square towers, and crowstepped gables.
Balfour Castle
(C) Richard Welsby
The Dishan Tower is a tall round tower at the entrance to Elwick Bay. The
tower was originally designed as a dovecot, but was converted to a salt
water shower in the 19th century.
Photograph courtesy of Richard Welsby
Copyright Orknet 1996