William Bruce (i)

William's father Robert was the Laird of Whalsay, and the family descended from William Bruce, who became the landowner in the 16th century. Robert died when William was just ten, and too young to immediately take over as laird. William instead went to be educated at the Merchiston and Loretto schools in Edinburgh, and studied at Edinburgh University. Upon completion of his studies, aged 21, he took over management of the estate. At that time, it was one of the largest single estates in the isles, comprising of Whalsay, Skerries and parts of Nesting, Bigton and Fladdabister.