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The Castle, now known as Jarlshof house is the largest structure on the Jarlshof site; it was built after the Shetlands had passed into Scottish rule. Originally a mediæval stone farmhouse, it was converted into a fortified house in the 16th century. At that time, the building was named “New Hall”. It was further modernised in the 17th century by Patrick Stewart, 2nd Earl of Orkney who renamed it as the “Old House of Sumburgh” but it was abandoned in the late 17th century and fell into ruin. The structure was also formerly known as “The laird’s house” and “Stewart Mansion”.