Euphemia Elphinstone (also written Euphame or Eupheme; born by c. 1514) had a relationship with James V of Scotland and was the mother of his son Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney, born in 1532/1533, as well as another child who died in infancy. One of her sons with her husband John Bruce was Laurence Bruce of Cultmalindie (c.1547–1617), the builder of Muness Castle.
She was a daughter of Alexander Elphinstone, 1st Lord Elphinstone and Elizabeth Barlow or Barlay (c. 1476 – unknown ), an English woman who served as maid of honour to Margaret Tudor. Fraser’s Elphinstone Family Book reports that Euphemia was born on 11 May 1509, citing an Elphinstone family “Birthday Book.” Fraser elsewhere explains that the register’s entries through 1625 appear to have been compiled by Alexander, 6th Lord Elphinstone, around 1648–54. No contemporary record supporting Euphemia’s exact birth date has been identified. Her father’s death at Flodden in September 1513 establishes conception, not necessarily birth; a posthumous birth is possible.
The family hailed from Elphinstone near Stirling. Her brother Alexander, Lord Elphinstone, died at Edinburgh following the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh.
Euphemia entered into a marriage contract with John Bruce of Cultmalindie on 13 April 1540. The contract required Bruce to marry her “in all goodly haste.” They had multiple children, including Laurence Bruce, although the number, identities and birth dates assigned to their children vary among later genealogical accounts. No firm evidence for Euphemia’s death date has been identified.
Her children and descendants were significant in the history of the Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands. Laurence Bruce and Robert Stewart and their families were entwined in the Shetland Islands. Laurence Bruce was appointed Sheriff by his half-brother, Robert Stewart, 1st Earl of Orkney.
According to legend, many people in the Shetland Islands are descended from her; in particular, those named Bruce are supposed to be descended from her children by John Bruce.