Birsay - Earl’s Palace

The Earl's Palace was built for the notorious Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney (1533-1593), illegitimate son of King James V and his mistress Euphemia Elphinstone. He was created Earl of Orkney in 1581 by his nephew King James VI, but began building this palace long before that. He considered himself the absolute ruler of Orkney and Shetland, as did his son and successor Earl Patrick, known as the "Black Patie". He had a reputation for violence and a penchant for luxury he could not afford. Patrick was imprisoned in 1609 for "monyfauld wrongis", including land theft, oppression of the native population, kidnapping, torture and murder. From prison he orchestrated a rebellion in Orkney. He was beheaded after it failed.

The palace was used occasionally by later Earls but by 1700 had fallen into decay.