Falkland
Palace is a former royal palace of the Scottish Kings. Today it is in the
care of the National Trust for Scotland, and serves as a tourist attraction. The Royal Palace
is set in a unique
medieval village, was the country residence and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs,
including Mary, Queen of Scots. The
only Royal Palace in the care of the National Trust for Scotland, Falkland
Palace is an impressive Renaissance building set in the heart of the town at
the foot of the Lomond Hills. Built by James IV and James V between 1450 and
1541 the Palace was a country residence of the Stuart monarchs of Scotland
for over 200 years. Falkland became a popular retreat with all the Stewart
monarchs. They practised falconry there and used the vast surrounding
forests for hawking and for hunting deer and wild boar. Lush green lawns,
colourful herbaceous borders and many unusual shrubs and trees complete the
setting for this memorable property. When the Royal court moved to London in
1603, following the succession of James VI to the English throne, Falkland
Palace was seldom visited and remained in the care of a Keeper. After the
Union of the Crowns, James VI and I, Charles I, and Charles II all visited
Falkland. Cromwell's invading army set the palace on fire and it quickly
fell into ruin. In 1887 John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute started
the restoration of the palace but died before the work was complete. The
roofed South Range contains the Chapel Royal, and the East Range the King's
Bedchamber and the Queen's Room. Visitors can also view the Keeper's
Apartments in the Gatehouse. In 1952 the National Trust for Scotland took
over the care and maintenance of the property.
