Discover Falkland: Palace, Garden and Trails

Falkland brings together a strong Renaissance heritage with themes of gardens and landscape. Falkland Palace stands on a sandstone ridge overlooking the cultivated plain. The village is Scotland’s first designated Conservation Village. This gives you several distinct areas to focus on when planning a trip: the palace’s history, the design of its garden and the trails in the Falkland Estate. These different themes offer a choice between cultural history, nature and outdoor activities. Depending on whether you are more interested in architecture, nature or getting active, different aspects of Falkland will take centre stage.

Falkland Palace: Renaissance and History

James IV and his son James V commissioned Falkland Palace between 1501 and 1541. The commission thus links father and son and spans several decades. In the 19th century, the 3rd Marquess of Bute saved the palace from falling into ruin. Two distinct historical periods therefore sit side by side: the Renaissance commission and a later period of preservation. The location adds a clear connection to the landscape to the building’s history: the palace was built on a sandstone ridge overlooking the cultivated plain. The connection between the building and its surrounding landscape is therefore a distinct part of the Falkland story.

Chapel Royal and Real Tennis

Inside the palace, the Chapel Royal is a special space: it is the only room where original details from the 16th and 17th centuries can be seen. The palace’s sporting heritage also includes the oldest real tennis court in Britain. Real tennis is also known as court tennis or royal tennis; all three names refer to the same sport. The chapel and the tennis court highlight two different aspects of the palace: its surviving historic details and its significance for real tennis.

Garden, Orchard and Wildflower Meadow

The garden at Falkland Palace is the most complete example of Percy Cane’s work in Scotland. This offers a specific point of interest for anyone interested in garden design. At Falkland Palace, the orchard and wildflower meadow feature grass paths, picnic benches and space for outdoor games. Both areas are also habitats for many birds and small mammals. Here, benches and play areas sit alongside a second function: providing a habitat for wildlife. If picnic benches are important for your plans, check the current facilities before your visit, as they can change.

Trails in the Falkland Estate and Maspie Den

The Falkland Estate welcomes walkers and cyclists to a network of more than 27 kilometres of trails. The walks described range from gentle paths across open ground to climbs to the summit of East Lomond. When planning, you can therefore choose between a gentle path, open ground and a summit climb. Trail conditions can change; check them before setting out.

A walk through Maspie Den leads to a waterfall that visitors can walk behind. This sets the walk apart from the choice offered by the trail network: here, the focus is on one specific destination, while the network offers a choice of different types of route.

Discover more destinations: Leuchars, Springfield, Balmullo, Dunfermline, Aberdour, Cupar, Burntisland, Freuchie.

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