Print pageHow to get here
By train
Thurso in Caithness on mainland Scotland. Get a choice of ferries across the Pentland Firth to Stromness, Burwick or St Margaret's Hope, then bus to Kirkwall. Ferry to Shapinsay.
By bus
Kirkwall bus Station. Walk along Great Western road to the Shapinsay Ferry Terminal in Kirkwall Harbour.
By road
The reserve is 1.6 km (1 mile) north-east of Balfour village.
Sat nav POI file
If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.
Other ways to get to the reserve
From Thurso on the mainland, option of ferries across the Pentland Firth to Stromness, Burwick or St Margaret's Hope, then bus to Kirkwall. Onward ferry to Shapinsay.