Falkland Palace, Garden and Old Burgh

Wandering around the palace and gardens at Falkland, it’s poignant to reflect that Mary, Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her life here, ‘playing the country girl in the woods and parks’. The magnificent Royal Palace of Falkland was built by James IV and James V between 1450 and 1541 as their country residence. The Stuarts used Falkland as a lodge when hunting deer and wild boar in the forests of Fife. Portraits of the Stuart kings and queens hang in the palace and you can get a flavour of palace life when you enter the King’s Bedchamber and the Queen’s Room, both restored by the Trust. The Chapel Royal and the Keeper’s Apartments in the Gatehouse are also on view to visitors.

Garden enthusiasts will appreciate the work of Percy Cane, who designed and cultivated the gardens between 1947 and 1952. There are colourful herbaceous borders, lush green lawns and many unusual shrubs and trees, as well as a small herb garden featuring quotations from John Gerard’s book Herbal (1597).

A world away from Wimbledon is the Royal Tennis Court, built in 1539. This is Britain’s oldest tennis court, which today is home to a flourishing local royal tennis club. You can learn more about this fascinating corner of history from the dedicated exhibition.

Falkland hosts many special events throughout the year – in particular Living History events. Contact the palace for more information.

Acquisition details
Major Michael Crichton Stuart, MC, MA, Hereditary Constable and Keeper of Falkland Palace, appointed the Trust as Deputy Keeper in 1952 and provided an endowment for future upkeep. Falkland Town Hall purchased in 1986