Muness Castle

Muness Castle is a tower house in the Shetland Isles erected by the brother of the Earl of Orkney towards the end of the 16th century. It is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland and is accessible to the public – at least as far as anything in Shetland can be! It has a very brief history, and although ruined is in very good condition.

The castle was built for Laurence Bruce, who acted as his brother’s chamberlain of Shetland from 1571-1577, and then as sheriff from 1578. He was unpopular with the locals, but it wasnt until the earl died that things got out of hand. Laurence felt threatened by the second earl, so much that he built the castle. The earl attacked it in 1608 without success, and was eventually forfeited in 1614. Laurence testified against him, and was to live out the rest of his life at Muness. In 1627 the castle was damaged by arson and abandoned by the mid 18th century.

Official Historic Scotland page

HES Canmore database entry