[17] Wildflowers abound in the summer, and the lichen Melaspilea interjecta, which is endemic to the north, is found in only three locations, including Shapinsay. Bradford says the tenant is a student at the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts in Queenston. LONGMONT Balfour Pacic Capital Inc., through holding company GCC Longmont Holdings LP, sold nine of its 10 remaining properties in its Campus at Longmont portfolio this month to BPVIF V Holdings 10 LLC, an affiliate of California investment outfit Berkeley Partners for just more than $20.2 million, Boulder County public records show. (2003), 116,664 acres (47,212.2ha) of farmland (90% of the archipelago's cultivated land excluding rough grazing) is now under grass, of which 40,668 acres (16,457.8ha) are cut for hay or silage. With an area of 7,285 acres, Shapinsay is the eighth largest island in Orkney. [10], During this period, burning kelp was a mainstay of the island economy. Rousay The east coast is composed of low cliffs and has several sea caves, including the picturesque geo at the extreme northern tip known as Geo of Ork. Balfour Farm is a certified organic dairy and farmstead creamery. Another feature of the castle is the stags' heads with gaslights at the tips of their antlers, although these are no longer used as working lights. The island has several ayres, or storm beaches, which form narrow spits of shingle or sand cutting across the landward and seaward ends of shallow bays. Nearby Auchmar, a mansion built in the 1850s and once owned by Isaac Buchanan, has been the most high-profile case of recent times. [10][11] Balfour had previously rented the Bu of Burray, a large manor farm on another Orkney island, but had insufficient wealth to acquire the estate even though his wife had inherited a legacy on the death of her aristocratic brother. The latter is regarded as a better quality building material than the former. Ross's heirs, the Lindsay brothers, sold the estate to Thomas Balfour in 1782. Shapinsay Community School has gained a Silver Award under the international Eco-Schools programme. [9], Unlike most of the larger Orkney islands, the derivation of the name 'Shapinsay' is not obvious. Gairsay Marjory Meason, a native of Shapinsay, was the last person to be executed in Orkney, in 1728. Shapinsay is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The UK multinational infrastructure group has been awarded a multi-million pound contract to build the onshore substation for rsteds offshore wind farm: Hornsea Project Two. "[11], Balfour also gave the island its most noticeable landmark when he recruited an Edinburgh architect, David Bryce, to transform Cliffdale House into the Scottish Baronial Balfour Castle. [10] Elwick Bay is a sheltered anchorage on the south coast, facing the Orkney mainland; the island's largest settlement, Balfour, is at the western end of the bay. He became a sailor before emigrating to New York in 1763. He was originally based on the historical figure Kolbein Hrga, who built Cubbie Roo's Castle in 1150 on the isle of Wyre, which is possibly the oldest castle in Scotland, and was mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga. This was a common occurrence in Orkney at the time as wealthy landowners moved to more lucrative forms [58], Cubbie Roo, the best known Orcadian giant, has a presence on Shapinsay. In 2001, Shapinsay had a population of 300, a decline of 6.8% from 322 in 1991. They can sometimes cut off a body of water from the sea, forming shallow freshwater lochs known as oyces. [2], Standing stones provide evidence of the island's human occupation since Neolithic times. The growing of grain (with the exception of barley) and turnips steadily declined as these were replaced as winter fodder for livestock by silage, usually harvested by mechanical forage harvesters. The island's bird life is particularly rich in waders such as curlew and redshank, found at The Ouse and Veantro Bay, and gull and tern colonies on the rockier shores and cliffs. The schools used the internet to collaborate, supported by BT Group (BT), which upgraded the school's broadband connection. The latter is regarded as a better quality building material than the former. Thomas Balfour's grandson, David Balfour, transformed the island after inheriting the family estate, which by 1846 encompassed the whole of Shapinsay. The final 'ay' is from the Old Norse for island, but the first two syllables are more difficult to interpret. The surviving drystone walls rise to about threemetres (10ft) and are more than fourmetres (13ft) thick in some places. Before 1995, the island also had a secondary school but lost this because of falling enrolment and improved transport links with Kirkwall, to where Shapinsay secondary pupils now travel. In 1917, during the First World War, the 836-tonne (823-long-ton) Swiftsure was hit by a mine 4kilometres (2.5mi) east of Haco's Ness and sank in 19metres (62ft) of water with the loss of a single life. [2] The economy of the island is primarily based on agriculture with the exception of a few small businesses that are largely tourism-related. [9], Small businesses on Shapinsay include a jam and chutney manufacturer, which uses traditional methods,[51] and a studio offering residential arts courses such as stained glass crafting. Thomas Balfour had previously rented the Bu of Burray, a large manor farm on another Orkney island, but had insufficient wealth to acquire the estate even though his wife had inherited a legacy on the death of her aristocratic brother. Haswell-Smith (2004) suggests the root may be hjalpandis-y (helpful island) owing to the presence of a good harbour, although anchorages are plentiful in the archipelago. And nothing in the house was ever out of place. During the Second World War, gun batteries were built on the island. Balfour Castle, built in the Scottish Baronial style, is one of the island's most prominent features, a reminder of the Balfour family's domination of Shapinsay during the 18th and 19th centuries; the Balfours transformed life on the island by introducing new agricultural techniques. More than 3,048 tonnes (3,000 long tons) of burned seaweed were produced per annum to make soda ash, bringing in 20,000 for the inhabitants. Old Norse for 'helpful island' or 'judge's island'. Helliar Holm is a tidal islet at the eastern entrance to the main harbour at Balfour; it has a small lighthouse and a ruined broch. [24] The composition of Shapinsay is mostly of the Rousay flagstone group from the Lower Middle Devonian, with some Eday flagstone in the southeast formed in wetter conditions during the later Upper Devonian. Cubbie Roo's Lade is a pile of stones on the shore near Rothiesholm Head, the westmost point of Stronsay. Come view Sound had passed from the Tulloch family to the Buchanan family in the 17th century. To raise the necessary funds, Balfour had to sell his military commission and borrow from his brother, John, who was prospering in India with the East India Company. WebThe adjoining Farmhouse, or further land, may also be considered for sale subject to separate negotiation. 211 Pritchard Road, Unit 4, Hamilton ON L8J 0G5. Seventeen were born outside the United Kingdom (four elsewhere in Europe, four in Asia, four in North America, one in South America and four in Oceania). WebThe estate, complete with the neighbouring 800 acre farm, was purchased by Captain Tadeusz Zawadski, a Polish Cavalry Officer who had come to Britain in 1941 after Other buildings constructed by David Balfour include the Dishan Tower, known locally as The Douche. Examples include Vasa Loch and Lairo Water. Once installed on the island, he built a new house, Cliffdale, and founded the village of Shoreside, now known as Balfour. The execution is recorded as requiring 24 armed men, not including officers, and costing 15 8s. Plans for the construction of a wind turbine are under consideration. [3] Shapinsay and Hoy are the only two larger Orkney islands that lack the Orkney vole (Microtus arvalis orcadensis). [13] Examples include Vasa Loch and Lairo Water. The island is overlain with a fertile layer of boulder clay formed during the Pleistocene glaciations.[10][25][26]. Tourism started to become important in the latter half of the century; the first restaurant to incorporate bed and breakfast facilities opened in 1980. Though built around an older structure that dates at least from the 18th century, the present castle was built in 1847, commissioned by Colonel David Balfour, and designed by Edinburgh architect David Bryce. [16] Otters can be seen at the Ouse, Lairo Water and Vasa Loch, and at various places around the coast along with common seals and Atlantic grey seals. The site is sold subject to a retained right of access along the route shown blue to Acton Lea Farmhouse or the vendors adjoining property. This is supposedly the beginning of a bridge between the two islands that the giant had failed to complete. [30] Wildflowers abound in the summer, and the lichen Melaspilea interjecta, which is endemic to Scotland, is found in only three locations, including Shapinsay. Balfour also gave the island its most noticeable landmark when he recruited an Edinburgh architect, David Bryce, to transform Cliffdale House into the Scottish Baronial Balfour Castle. [28] Otters can be seen at the Ouse, Lairo Water and Vasa Loch, and at various places around the coast along with common seals and Atlantic grey seals. Roman coins have been found on Shapinsay, but they may have been brought to the island by traders. [18][19] In addition to the RSPB reserve at Mill Dam there is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve at East Hill in the southeast. This was a traditional Scottish landed estate comprising of (amongst other things) approximately 1,907 acres of land, two in-hand farms, three let farms (on secure [59], In 1905, The Orcadian newspaper reported that a strange creature had been seen off the coast of Shapinsay. pintail, shovellers and whooper swans are regular summer visitors, and there are also breeding populations of shelducks, hen harriers and bonxies. One of his sons was Washington Irving, author of Rip van Winkle and the first American author to gain international recognition. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. (2003), 116,664 acres of farmland (90% of the archipelago's cultivated land excluding rough grazing) is now under grass, of which 40,668 acres are cut for hay or silage. [29][42] Orkney Ferries provides transport for pedestrians and vehicles, proximity to Kirkwall permitting closer contacts with the Orkney Mainland than is possible for most of the other North Isles. After her grandmother died in 1976, Victoria's aunt, Wilson Elizabeth Baxter, lived in the house until her death in 2013. [14][15] Other buildings he added to the island include the porter's lodge (now a public house called The Gatehouse), a water mill, a school, and a gasworks that remained operational until the 1920s. Only the interior of this partially buried building has been excavated, allowing visitors to look down into the broch from the surrounding mound. Anyone can read Conversations, but to contribute, you should be a registered Torstar account holder. She was a servant, hanged in Kirkwall for murder. [9][10] Shapinsay and Hoy are the only two larger Orkney islands that lack the Orkney vole (Microtus arvalis orcadensis). expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto In common with most of the Orkney isles, Shapinsay has a bedrock formed from Old Red Sandstone, which is approximately 400 million years old and was laid down in the Devonian period. Groups such as university departments, heritage organisations, libraries and museums hold associate membership. The finale of the show involved the Norwegian pupils singing Away in a Manger in English while the Shapinsay pupils responded with En Stjerne Skinner I Natt in Norwegian. [50] According to the development trust, the turbine could earn more than 5million during its 25-year lifetime. Victoria Balfour has all kinds of pleasant memories of visiting her grandmother Ethel's sprawling estate on the brow of Hamilton Mountain when she was a little girl. The 20th century saw many changes in farming on Shapinsay. The economy of the island is primarily based on agriculture with the exception of a few small businesses that are largely tourism-related. "It wasn't hoarding, but a lot of stuff," she said. Haswell-Smith (2004) suggests the root may be hjalpandis-y (helpful island) owing to the presence of a good harbour, although anchorages are plentiful in the archipelago. Fea was a supporter of the Jacobite Rebellion, and the house was burned by Hanoverian troops in revenge. SOLD JUN 15, 2022. R 900 000. If you do not yet have a Torstar account, you can create one now (it is free), Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. However, the figure Cubbie Roo has departed far from his historical origins and has become a giant in the fashion that Finn MacCool (legendary builder of the Giant's Causeway) has in parts of Scotland and Ireland. Part of the land is within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. The 20th century saw many changes in farming on Shapinsay. Heating, electrical and plumbing need to be replaced before the mansion can be put on the market for some kind of leasing arrangement. It is low-lying and fertile, consequently most of the area is given over to farming. During the 18th century, a croft named Grukalty was renamed Agricola (which is also Latin for "farmer"). Cubbie Roo's Burn is a waterway on Shapinsay that flows through a channel called Trolldgeo. School pupils have carried out an energy audit, helped to plant more than 600 trees close to the school and carried out energy saving campaigns. Local legend holds that the Roman general Gnaeus Julius Agricola landed on Shapinsay when taking the submission of the islands, though there is no true evidence. The site of the wreck was not discovered until 1997.[12]. WebThe PV system is located inside a 15-hectare land, enclosed by a 1.6 KM perimeter fence. [1] However, the figure Cubbie Roo has departed far from his historical origins and has become a giant in the manner that Finn MacCool (legendary builder of the Giant's Causeway) has in Ireland. By 1860, that had trebled to more than 890.3 hectares (3.44sqmi). Balfour had previously rented the Bu of Burray, a large manor farm on another Orkney island, but had insufficient wealth to acquire the estate even though his wife had inherited a legacy on the death of her aristocratic brother. The Society is a cross-border and cross-community organisation, open to anyone who wishes to join. Cubbie Roo, the best known Orcadian giant, has a presence on Shapinsay. The island has several ayres, or storm beaches, which form narrow spits of shingle or sand cutting across the landward and seaward ends of shallow bays. In 1846, 303 hectares (1.17sqmi) on Shapinsay consisted of arable land. The castle library has a secret passage hidden behind a false set of bookshelves. 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