This was the country retreat of the Stewart kings and queens of Scotland, within easy reach of Edinburgh, yet far enough distant to provide a welcome escape. Here the royal court could indulge in hawking and hunting, plus more genteel recreations like archery. Falkland boasts the oldest real (or 'royal') tennis court in the world, built in 1539 for James V.

Mary, Queen of Scots used Falkland Palace as a retreat from the censorious gaze of Protestant Edinburgh. She came to hawk, hunt, ride, and play tennis.

When Mary's son James went south to take the English throne in 1603 Falkland became less important as a royal retreat. Charles I and II each visited, but only briefly. In 1654 Cromwell's soldiers burned the Great Hall and inflicted heavy damage to the rest of the palace buildings. It was left to the 3rd Marquis of Bute, Hereditary Keeper of the Palace, to restore Falkland in the late 19th century. He created apartments for himself in the south range, and his son rebuilt James V's chapel royal.

By the way, Falkland itself is a very interesting village with many, many historic buildings!