Balfour Castle offers an old fashioned experience, but this is a place where you can truly get away from it all. You will be offered the warmest of welcomes from the family who also live in the castle and you will be made to feel truly at home.

The castle has been the family home of the Zawadski family since 1960 and has been a hotel for over 18 years. As well as entertaining guests from all over the world in their home, the Zawadski family offer weekly tours.

History is layered deep within the islands of Orkney and Shetland, in the settlements of the earliest peoples to the Viking invaders. Today's invasion is from the thousands of birds and other wildlife that make their home in these magical isles.

Lying at the very edge of Europe, the peaceful Northern Islands have a rugged natural beauty, with unspoilt beaches, plentiful wildlife and unique culture and traditions

The owner, Mrs Catherine Zawadzki, said her guests were mainly Americans who relished the solitude offered by Shapinsay. She said, " They love the fact that they can walk along the shore without hearing a car or seeing another person. It's an old fashioned expression, but this is a place where you can truly get away from it all". They also like staying in a castle which has remained almost exactly as it was when the Balfour family first lived here 150 years ago.

The sight of Balfour Castle looming ever larger on the horizon during the ferry crossing to Shapinsay is but a taste of the, "world apart" atmosphere awaiting the visitor to this lush green island.

The castle has two working farms, two uninhabited islands and 6 miles of undisturbed coastline for you to experience.

Accommodation

1 Four-Poster Double Bedroom
1 Canopy Double Bedroom
1 Brass Double Bedroom
2 Twin Bedrooms
1 Single Bedroom

Four rooms have en-suite facilities.

Tariff:

£100-£120 per person per night for a three course dinner, bed and full
Scottish breakfast (incl. tax)

Under 12 yrs. 30% less
Under 3 Gratis
10% discount 3 nights or more

The only accommodation of its kind in Orkney

The Gardens

Balfour Castle is surrounded by 70 acres of private grounds that includes an original Victorian walled kitchen garden where fruit and vegetables are grown for the dinner table and picked fresh daily.

In the shelter of the trees and high walls, the garden produces wonderful fruit and vegetables, some under glass, providing a varied selection for the table.

The grounds are available for guests to enjoy walks with flower borders and wildlife, and to the public Sunday afternoons Mid May to Mid September as part of the Sunday Tour Package. Bookings essential.

IN BRITAIN Magazine

Perhaps the greatest escape of all, this imposing, turreted building is billed as, "The most Northerly Castle Hotel in the World". There are two private islands, 10 miles of private coastline, and lots of delicious food, all caught, grown, milked, hatched or otherwise procured within hailing distance of the castle.

Its staff can rustle up fires, tea, toast and electric blankets and anything else a walker on the island might require upon his or her return.

It can be taken over on a self catering basis or a party of 8 people can have exclusive use including a three course dinner and full breakfast.

Then all you have to do is to get yourself there!

Weddings

Marry in the most northerly Castle in the World
Marry in the Castle's Chapel and hold your reception in the Castle's Drawing Room or Conservatory. Alternatively the wedding service can now be performed by Shapinsay's Registrar in the Castle's Drawing Room.

Contact Mary at the castle and she will be happy to contact the registrar for you and organise all the wedding details.

We can provide guests with champagne, canapés, wedding cake and photographer. There is a bridal suite in the castle and accommodation for another six couples.

A reception after the wedding would incur an extra charge but the three course evening meal is included in the accommodation cost.

Costs:

Use of Castle & Chapel £750
Canapés etc. after the ceremony £2.50 per head
Wedding cake From £50
Photographer At cost
Piper From £100
Champagne £30 per bottle
Flowers At cost

We are happy to put you in touch with a local Minister or you can use your own.

Activities

While staying at Balfour Castle you may wish to create your own itinerary for exploring Orkney. Alternatively we can offer you numerous activities or tours suitable for individuals, families or groups. Below is a list of some of what we offer.

Boating
Balfour Castle has 2 private boats: a 5.25 metre inflatable ideal for short trips and cave exploration. The second is a 5.2 metre fibreglass speedboat with twin outboards and cabin. For longer trips we charter a 12 person fast cruiser that has toilet, galley and large cabin

Uninhabited Islands

There are numerous small uninhabited islands within easy striking distance of Balfour all with unique features and wildlife. Almost all have either Common or Atlantic seals which we can get close to and between June and August the Common seals have their pups. Seabirds you are likely to see are black guillemots, fulmars, puffins, razorbills, gannets, kittywakes, great and arctic skuas, eider ducks, cormorants, shags, greater black backed gulls and arctic terns. We frequently see dolphins and occasionally catch a glimpse of an otter. We can land you for a picnic and a walk over the islands ensuring we avoid sensitive bird nesting areas.

Exploring caves

The soft sandstone rock of Orkney is easily eroded by the sea resulting in many wonderful sea caves and geos (narrow channels). Each cave has its own unique atmosphere, some are spooky, some are noisy and slightly smelly with nesting birds, others are cathedral like and awe inspiring. There are many great photographic opportunities. We can take you right into them with our boats.

Fishing

The long sunny summer days and warm current of the Gulf Stream ensure Orkney’s waters are a rich feeding ground for fish. There is plenty to be caught by anglers of all abilities, we have often taken youngsters out in the castle bay and their parents on shore know they are having a great time from the squeals of delight coming from the boat!

Anyone wishing to go further afield for mackerel, cod, pollock, coalfish and ling can use the charter vessel from which up to 12 people can fish comfortably.

Some of the fish you catch will be used as bait for our lobster pots, and we hope you will come and help us haul them. You can order lobster for dinner if you can’t catch your own!

Bird Cliffs

Orkney has some of Europe’s finest bird cliffs; several of the most dramatic are easily accessible from Balfour. We can get you a little more than arm’s length from the lower ledges, turn off the engine and let you experience the drama of life in a seabird colony. After you have taken some great photographs, we will linger a while so you can appreciate the differing routines of the various species including watching the guillemots catching fish under the boat.

Boat Handling

We can give instruction to individuals wishing to learn the rudiments of small boat handling.

Sailing

There is local sailboat Charter Company where you can get a 4, 6 or 8 berth yacht on a daily basis, with or without skipper. It is hard to imagine a more relaxing way to travel amongst the islands.

Shapinsay

The green and fertile island of Shapinsay lies a pleasant 25-minute ferry crossing from Kirkwall. The ferry, commissioned in 1989 operates a regular service throughout the day. As you sail out of the shelter of Kirkwall Bay, old gun emplacements can be seen along the Point of Carness while on the left lies Thieves Holm.

Tours of Shapinsay with a local guide visiting historical & archaeological sites and craft workshops while learning about island life and folklore.

Golf

There are two 18-hole golf courses on the Orkney Mainland at Kirkwall and Stromness.

Trout Fishing

We can arrange days brown trout fishing on the numerous lochs on Orkney, either to explore on your own or with a ghillie and boat.

Cycling

We have several bicycles for hire for you to explore the gently rolling island of Shapinsay.

Clay pigeons

If you would like to try this fun sport or just keep your eye in, we can lay on a shoot with instruction.

4X4 Driving

Learn the basics of off road driving in Land Rovers on our farm. Instructor accompanied.