Laurence Bruce

[6] By April 1573, Bruce was "undoubted foud, sheriff depute, and chamberlain of Shetland", displacing the elderly Olave Sinclair.

[10] His armed men felt free to seize control of ships and to billet themselves in the homes of the local people.

Evidently Laurence Bruce helped himself to the local women, and is believed to have fathered approximately twenty-four illegitimate children beyond his ten legitimate children by his wives Helen Kennedy, daughter of Hugh Kennedy of Girvanmains and Janet Stewart, and Elizabeth Gray, daughter of Patrick, Lord Gray and Marion Ogilvy.

Later events proved that Laurence Bruce had good reason to fear the aggression of Earl Patrick.

Following a rebellion in Orkney, in August 1614 the Privy Council appointed Laurence Bruce a Commissioner and charged him with apprehending any rebels who might seek shelter in Shetland.

Laurence Bruce died at Muness castle in August 1617 and was buried inside the old church at nearby Sandwick.

Ownership of the castle passed to his second eldest son Andrew Bruce of Muness, a quieter and more popular man than his father.