Old House of Sumburgh was possibly a medieval stone farmhouse, which came under the control of the Scottish lairds, in the mid 15th century. Rebuilt in the 16th century, the New Hall at Jarlshof was a defensible laird's house, which was modernized in the early 17th century, with a large first floor hall. Built on one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Europe, the house was a ruin by the late 17th century. 24 miles north is Scalloway Castle.