About Us
Hi, well what can I say.
Shapinsay is a small island with approx 300 inhabitants, the island is siutated in Orkney off the coast of Mainland Scotland and Shapinsay is a half hour ferry ride from Kirkwall the capital of the Orkney Isles. We moved here on 1st Sept 2005 and have been busy turning and old croft type house and byre into our new home.
Why Shapinsay you ask!
Having lived in towns all my life and only really escaped to the freedom on holidays Paul and I visited Orkney whilst looking for a new place to live and fell in love with the wildness and the friendliness of this Island Community.
Leaving behind a different type of life we settled here and given the choice would not want to return to the hustle bustle of a big town again.
We have become involved in the Community in many ways and the people of Shapinsay have helped us settle into this new life. Paul is a Retained Firefighter , Community Switcher and runs a small business dealing with electrical and plumbing faults and repairs. I work in the only shop on the Island part time and have become involved with the Shapinsay Development Trust and the Lunch Club. Life id hectic but rewarding.
Previous blogs can be found on this site ( as long as I can find out how to import them) telling you about our journey so far with the ups and downs
Hooch our French Mastif
1 Harryd(Canada)on 19 Dec 2008 at 3:48 pm
Your home looks large in photo. I think it takes a lot of courage to move from a town or city to an island life. I live in a small town
and have always preferred it to large cities.
I am housebound today with 8 inches of snow due by nightfall
so the snowblower will be out tomorrow morning. goodluck with
renovations. I spent summer doing a lot. Taking a breather as I’m tired and run out of money. ha.
2 barebraeson 20 Dec 2008 at 11:11 am
I Know the feeling well Harry, tired and skint its a full time occupation
I went to Canada a few years ago and its one place that I would love to see more of.
At least in Canada you are prepared for the snow!!
3 island threadson 02 Jan 2009 at 8:42 pm
I’m the same as you barebraes, I love island life and have no intention of going back, all the best for 2009