Fife and Scotland - the offbeat perspective

The Royal Palace of Falkland was built just a few metres southward of a former castle given over to the Scottish Monarchy from MacDuff, Thane of Fife, in the fourteenth century. The stone foundations of the round house of that castle can still be seen in the grounds to this day. It where, in 1402, David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay and eldest son of King Robert III, was incarcerated by his uncle, Robert Stewart, the first Duke of Albany. He was virtually forgotten and eventually died of neglect and starvation whereby Parliament became interested in how this could have happened and where murder was suspected. Although Robert Stewart was declared innocent, King Robert decided to sent his nine year old younger son to the safety of France but, during the voyage, the ship was forced to land on the English coast and the boy was captured and detained in England for eighteen years.

According to some sources, King Robert died of a broken heart in 1406. The stone foundation roundel is all that remains of the castle.

It’s the period between 1501 to 1541 when the real story of the palace begins and where King James IV and James V decided to upgrade the old castle into one of the finest renaissance buildings in Scotland. Many of the architects came from France under the terms of the ‘Auld Alliance’ and their influence can be seen in the style of the newer building. King James V, died at Falkland Palace shortly after his wife had given birth to a daughter later more commonly referred to as Mary, Queen of Scots.

Falkland Palace became a country residence and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots. The Palace is famous for its beautiful gardens and for the Real Tennis court, built in 1539 and restored to regular use making it the oldest tennis court in the World!

Falkland Palace was a popular place with successive generations of the monarchy and where imported wild boar from France provided sport among the dense forest surrounding the area and within a fenced boundary constructed and installed by the Laird of Fernie. Falconry was another favourite pastime at the palace.

During the ‘English Civil War’ that occupied much of the early seventeenth century, Oliver Cromwell led a powerful force into Scotland and set the palace ablaze and from whence it was was largely an abandoned ruin until 1887 when John Crichton-Stuart, Third Marquess of Bute began a program of restoration. What is seen today is largely the result of that restoration work.

The Crichton-Stuarts became "the Keepers of Falkland Palace" but have shared the responsibility for the upkeep of the palace and its extensive gardens since 1952 with the National Trust for Scotland following agreement with the fourth Marquess of Bute.Being entirely selective and biased, the restoration of the Chapel Royal is frankly impressive!

It serves as ideal place for music events taking place during the summer. To reach this splendid room, visitors pass along a corridor adorned with magnificent tapestries and which are impressive features in their own right. The Kings Room and Queens room are also magnificant restorations.The surrounding gardens and lawns are immaculate and where the stone foundation of the original castle round tower can still be seen amid the pleasant smell of many flowers and plants. From time to time, open air theatre and music events are held in the palace gardens. The real tennis court, originially built in 1539, has been restored to regular use by the Falkland Royal Tennis Club and making it the oldest tennis court in the World! Lawn tennis descended from real tennis (sometimes called royal tennis) at a later date. In the tennis court, it is traditional to leave some doors open to permit swallows to fly and nest in the structure during the summer.

In closing, this is a wonderful family-friendly place to visit and see first hand. The village of Falkland surrounding the Palace has been maintained to a high standard and in keeping with its most dominant building and offer eating facilities ranging from high class fare at the local restaurant to cafe and pub grub levels. Free Car Parking may involve a short walk to the palace of about a quarter mile. Add this venue to your list of must see venues in Fife!

Credits:
Garden Photograph by Stan Stylesb. Large photograph is a composite of two photographs by Alandon.
Remaining photograph is by Alandon. Text by Alandon.