Falkland Palace, Renaissance country house in Falkland, Scotland.
Falkland Palace is a Renaissance residence in Falkland, Scotland, featuring carved woodwork, painted ceilings, and ornate details throughout its rooms and hallways. The building sits within formal gardens and includes a tennis court that dates to the 1500s.
James IV and James V transformed this former hunting lodge into a Renaissance palace during the 1500s, creating grand halls and gardens. Their building projects shaped it into a royal residence of significant scale and design.
Mary, Queen of Scots played and hunted at this residence, using facilities that still reflect royal leisure activities from centuries ago. The palace reveals how Scottish royalty spent their time away from court duties.
Visitors can walk through the rooms and gardens at their own pace or join a guided tour to learn more about life here centuries ago. Wear comfortable shoes as there are several floors and outdoor grounds to explore.
The tennis court built in 1539 remains the oldest court of its kind still in use anywhere, with matches played there regularly today. Few sports facilities worldwide have continued serving the same purpose for so many centuries without interruption.
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