Falkland Palace & GardenWritten by Catriona Stevenson The Royal
Palace of Falkland, built between 1501 and 1541 and set in the
heart of a unique medieval village, was the country residence
and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs, including Mary,
Queen of Scots. Wandering around the Palace and gardens, it is
poignant to reflect that Mary, Queen of Scots spent some of the
happiest days of her life here, 'playing the country girl in the
woods and parks'. The Palace is famous for its beautiful gardens
and for the Real Tennis court, built in 1539. A world away from
Wimbledon, this is Britain's oldest tennis court and is home to
a flourishing local royal tennis club. Entering the Palace
through the Gatehouse visitors come to the courtyard, enclosed
on two sides by the South Range and the now ruined East Range.
The original architecture of the building and restoration works
carried out by the 3rd Marquess of Bute in the 19th century can
be easily examined from here. The Gatehouse, completed in 1541,
contains the