Falkland Palace
Falkland Palace was the country retreat of the Stuart monarchs, tucked into the small burgh of Falkland at the foot of the Lomond Hills in Fife. Mary, Queen of Scots spent some of her happiest years here, hunting and playing an early form of tennis on what is now the oldest real tennis court still in use in the world, built for James V in 1539. The palace itself is a fine example of early Scottish Renaissance architecture, with elaborate stonework on its south range influenced by French masons James V brought over, and the Chapel Royal retains a beautifully decorated painted ceiling and tapestries.
The National Trust for Scotland maintains the palace and its walled gardens, which are as much a draw as the building itself, with herbaceous borders, orchards and a working kitchen garden. The surrounding village of Falkland, with its cobbled streets and crow-stepped gables, is worth wandering afterwards and has doubled for period-drama filming locations more than once.
Falkland Palace FAQs
Yes, she used it as a retreat and reportedly enjoyed hunting and real tennis there; it's one of the better-preserved sites associated with her early life.
It's a real tennis court built in 1539, considered the oldest of its kind still in use anywhere in the world; real tennis is the older, indoor precursor to modern lawn tennis.
Yes, the gardens and grounds are easy to enjoy with children, and the village of Falkland itself is walkable and low-key.
It's generally not required outside of peak periods, but checking the National Trust for Scotland website for current booking policy is worth doing before you go.
Around two to three hours covers the palace interiors, gardens and a walk through Falkland village itself.
More in Dundee
Reviews/Comments
No comments yet — be the first.