Vasa Loch, Shapinsay

Name: Vasa Loch
Address: Shapinsay, United Kingdom

#2 among attractions in Shapinsay

Nature, Natural attraction, Lake

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Map

Facts and practical information

Vasa Loch is a brackish lagoon in southwestern Shapinsay, Orkney Islands. This water body has been shown on early maps of the island in a very similar shape and size to its current geometry, separated from the North Sea by a narrow strip of raised beach. Vasa Loch is fed by small rivulets and upland springs that rise on the western part of the island's western spur. pH levels of the loch are strongly alkaline, in the range of 10.15. ()

Length: 984 ftWidth: 656 ftElevation: 3 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 59°2'59"N, 2°55'20"W

Address

Shapinsay United Kingdom

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Day trips

Vasa Loch – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: The Pickaquoy Centre, St Magnus Cathedral, Bishop's Palace, Balfour Castle.

4.9 miS
Outdoor activities, Arenas and stadiums, Sport venue
The Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall
124 min walk • The Pickaquoy Centre is a multi-use leisure centre in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. The arena has 1,600-seat stands, and can be condensed and used as a sports hall, with room for two five a side football pitches.
4.9 miS
Striking, 12th-century place of worship
St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
125 min walk • St Magnus Cathedral dominates the skyline of Kirkwall, the main town of Orkney, a group of islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland.
4.9 miS
Stately remains of 2 historic castles
Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall
126 min walk • The Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall is a 12th-century palace built at the same time as the adjacent St Magnus Cathedral in the centre of Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. It housed the cathedral's first bishop, William the Old of the Norwegian Catholic church who took his authority from the Archbishop of Nidaros.
1.3 miS
Forts and castles, Gothic Revival architecture
Balfour Castle, Shapinsay
32 min walk • Balfour Castle is a historic building on the southwest of Shapinsay, Orkney Islands. 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.
4.9 miS
Historical place, Forts and castles
Earl's Palace, Kirkwall
126 min walk • The Earl's Palace is a ruined Renaissance-style palace near St Magnus's Cathedral in the centre of Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. Built by Patrick, Earl of Orkney, its construction began in 1607 and was largely undertaken via forced labour.
4.7 miS
Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Orkney Wireless Museum, Kirkwall
120 min walk • The Orkney Wireless Museum in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland, houses a collection of domestic and military wireless equipment. It developed from the private collection of the late Jim MacDonald from St Margaret's Hope and marks the importance of wireless communications in Orkney during World War II.
5.7 miSW
Island
Damsay
145 min walk • Damsay is an islet in the Orkney archipelago in Scotland. It is approximately 18 hectares in extent and rises to only 11 metres above sea level. It is situated in the Bay of Firth north of the Orkney Mainland near Finstown. Nearby is the smaller islet of Holm of Grimbister.
5.9 miSW
Museum, Archaeological site
Rennibister Earth House, Mainland
150 min walk • Rennibister Earth House is located on the Mainland of Orkney, in Scotland. It is located by the southeastern shore of the Bay o' Firth, in a farm yard and is accessed by a hatch in the roof of the earth house and by a ladder.
2.1 miS
Island
Helliar Holm
53 min walk • Helliar Holm is an uninhabited island off the coast of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is home to a 42-foot-tall lighthouse, which was built in 1893 and automated in 1967. It is a tidal island that used to be connected to Shapinsay.
4.5 miE
Archaeological site
Burroughston Broch, Shapinsay
116 min walk • Burroughston Broch is an Iron Age broch located on the island of Shapinsay in the Orkney Islands, in Scotland. The site overlooks the North Sea on the northeast part of Shapinsay.
4.9 miS
Library
Orkney Library & Archive, Kirkwall
125 min walk • Orkney Library and Archive is a Scottish public library service based in Kirkwall, Orkney. Founded in 1683, Orkney Library is the oldest public library in Scotland. Its rules date from 1815. It has become known for its popular, humorous Twitter account.