The Ouse, Shapinsay

Name: The Ouse
Address: Shapinsay, United Kingdom

#8 among attractions in Shapinsay

Sightseeing

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Facts and practical information

The Ouse is a tidal estuary in northern Shapinsay, Orkney Islands. This water body has been shown on early maps of the island in a very similar shape to its current geometry. The Ouse is fed by small rivulets and upland springs that rise on the western part of the island's northeast spur. pH levels of these feed waters are moderately alkaline, in the range of 9.1. ()

Coordinates: 59°3'23"N, 2°51'55"W

Address

Shapinsay United Kingdom

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Day trips

The Ouse – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

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

6.3 miSW
Outdoor activities, Arenas and stadiums, Sport venue
The Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall
161 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.
6.2 miSW
Striking, 12th-century place of worship
St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
158 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.
6.2 miSW
Stately remains of 2 historic castles
Bishop's Palace, Kirkwall
159 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.
2.5 miSW
Forts and castles, Gothic Revival architecture
Balfour Castle, Shapinsay
64 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.
6.2 miSW
Historical place, Forts and castles
Earl's Palace, Kirkwall
159 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.
6 miSW
Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Orkney Wireless Museum, Kirkwall
154 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.
2.1 miW
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
Vasa Loch, Shapinsay
53 min walk • 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.
2.7 miSW
Island
Helliar Holm
70 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.
2.5 miNE
Archaeological site
Burroughston Broch, Shapinsay
64 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.
6.2 miSW
Library
Orkney Library & Archive, Kirkwall
158 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.
3.8 miNW
Island
Sweyn Holm
98 min walk • Sweyn Holm is a small island in the Orkney Islands, next to Gairsay. It is thought to be named for Sweyn Asleifsson, who was connected with Gairsay or possibly a corruption of "servant's island" in Norse.