Earl's Palace, Birsay

It was built by Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney (1533–1593), illegitimate son of King James V and his mistress Euphemia Elphinstone.

The first phase of work, begun in the 1570s, consisted of the great hall located in the south range, above the main door.

The second phase, completed in the 1580s, saw a new range containing a great hall and chamber built on the north side of the courtyard.

The Reverend John Brand published a book about Orkney in 1701, and included a description of the palace.

He wrote: "[The upper floor] hath been prettily decored, the Ceiling being all Painted, and that for the most part with schems holding forth scripture-histories, as Noah's floud, Christ's riding to Jerusalem &c. And the Scripture is set doun beside the Figure.