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FALKLAND PALACE FACTS
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Location
Falkland, Fife
Description
Falkland Palace in Fife, Scotland is a former royal palace of the Scottish Kings. Today it is the only Royal Palace in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Falkland Palace is a Renaissance building situated at the foot of the Lomond Hills. The current building was built by James IV and James V between 1450 and 1541 and the Palace was a country residence of the Stuart monarchs of Scotland for over 200 years. The Palace has extensive gardens. Falkland Palace can be hired for weddings and other events.
Architecture
Renaissance palace
History
The Scottish Crown acquired Falkland Castle from MacDuff of Fife in the 14th century. In the first half of the 16th century, Kings James IV and James V of Scotland transformed the old castle into one of the finest Renaissance palaces in Scotland. James V died at Falkland in December 1542 after hearing that his wife had given birth to a daughter—Mary, Queen of Scots. Falkland became a popular retreat with all the Stewart monarchs. After the Union of the Crowns, James VI and I, Charles I, and Charles II all visited Falkland. The palace fell into ruin after Oliver Cromwell's army burned it down. In 1887 John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute started the restoration of the palace. Falkland Palace has been in the possession of the Crichton Stuart family since then. In 1952 the National Trust for Scotland was appointed custodian of the Palace and they now maintain the Palace and its extensive gardens. In the gardens is a tennis court built in 1539 - it is the world's oldest tennis court still in use and home to the Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club.
Date
16th century
Notable Residents
Kings James IV and James V of Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots
Links
the National Trust for Scotland
Other Castles in the Area
Aberdour Castle
Balgonie Castle
Balhousie Castle
Ballinbreich Castle
Balvaird Castle
Blackness Castle
Broughty Castle
Burleigh Castle
Castle Campbell
Claypotts Castle
Dairsie Castle
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