First built as a hunting lodge in the 12th century, the residence was transformed into a French Renaissance-style palace in the 16th century, complete with 7.4 acres (3 hectares) of parks, orchards, and flower gardens. Falkland Palace and Garden is an easy day trip from Edinburgh and offers visitors insight into the lives of the Scottish royals. As well as exploring the beautifully restored Royal Apartments and drawing room, visitors can take a peek at the Royal Chapel, admire the fine artworks on display in the Tapestry Gallery and Edwardian Library, and visit the Gatehouse. Don’t forget to visit Britain’s oldest tennis court that’s still in use.
Various guided tours from Edinburgh visit Falkland Palace in itineraries that typically also include the fishing villages of Fife or other sites related to Mary, Queen of Scots, depending on the tour’s theme. These have the benefit of allowing you to see multiple attractions around the country in a single day.
From Edinburgh it takes around one hour by car to get to Falkland Palace; there is paid parking available in a nearby public car park. By bus you can take the X59 route, in the direction of St. Andrews, to Gateside Cottages then change to the 64 route (also in the direction of St. Andrews) to the palace.
Falkland Palace is open every day from March through October from mid-morning until late evening (hours vary slightly throughout the year and are shortened on Sundays, when it opens at noon). The palace is closed to visitors from November through February. School holidays tend to be the busiest period. Mass is said every Sunday morning in the Chapel Royal.
In the popular TV series Outlander, Falkland Palace is used as the apothecary where Claire meets Mary Hawkins, who is buying medical supplies to attend to the sick Alex Randall. Visitors can explore the Apothecary, the newest room in the palace, and learn about medieval cures for various ailments. The palace is also a typical stop on Outlander-themed tours of Scotland.
