Falkland, Fife

Falkland is a town and former royal burgh, formerly known as the Parish of Kilgour c1300AD in Fife, Scotland at the foot of the Lomond Hills. The conservation village is best known as the location of Falkland Palace, begun in 1500 by James IV, and the best example of French-influenced Renaissance architecture in the United Kingdom. The palace was built to accommodate the royal Court when they came to Falkland to hunt in the nearby forests; Mary Queen of Scots was a frequent visitor.

Whilst Oliver Cromwell's troops didn't directly damage the palace, a fire in 1654 destroyed the East Range. The Court never returned to Falkland Palace after 1665 and until the 19th century the village and palace were neglected. In the late 19th century extensive rebuilding and restoration work began. Today the palace and gardens are open to the public through the National Trust for Scotland.

Weaving was a major local means of employment from the late 19th century until as recently as the mid 1970s.

The village's coat of arms shows a stag under an oak tree.

Other features of the village include an old horse market, also including the Falkland Cricket Club, and the Falkland Golf Club.

External links

* [http://www.falkland.uk.com Falkland Village Information]
* [http://www.falkland-tennis.net Falkland Palace Tennis Court, the world's oldest tennis court still in play]
* [http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10036&NavPage=10036&NavId=5116 Falkland Palace]
* [http://www.falklandinbloom.com Falkland In Bloom website]
* [http://www.falklandfestival.co.uk Falkland festival website]
* [http://www.falklandgolfclub.com Falkland Golf Club]
* [http://www.falklandcricketclub.org.uk Falkland Cricket Club]
* [http://www.centreforstewardship.org.uk Falkland Centre for Stewardship]
* [http://www.bigtentfestival.co.uk The Big Tent Festival]