History in Falkland & Newton of Falkland Online

Brief history of Newton of Falkland

The village appears in recorded history in July 1566 when Mary Queen of Scots granted to one Margaret Houseton and her son Thomas Beveridge, quantities of barley from the village acres ‘for her good service to the queen at the birth of the prince of the realm'.

Unlike Falkland, Newton of Falkland has a long association with brewing and malting, and the late 19th century Bonthrone maltings with their pagoda-like roof outlets area reminder of the old trade. Balreavie Cottage (1735) was once a brewery too, and after that a school.

Brief history of Falkland

'Falkland' was first mentioned in the context of 'Macbeth thane of'...Falleland 1128, Falecklen 1161, Falkeland 1233, Fawklande 1406 and Falkland 1407

Falkland is a Gaelic Name. The first element is probably connected with Gaelic falach ‘hiding, concealment'. It may therefore have the sense of ‘hidden land ‘, referring to Falkland's tucked away position directly beneath the 424 metre high Falkland Hill. The second derivative is ‘Ian' an 'enclosure or field' found also in Conland, a farm on Falkland Hill (East Lomond).

Falkland became historically significant in the 14th century when the Stewart monarchy acquired Falkland Castle from Macduff, the Thane of Fife. Unlike the Picts who had built a fort on the East Lomond for defensive purposes the Stewarts were most interested in Falkland as a place of sport and relaxation. The name of Falkland is associated with falconry which was one of the popular sports in the area and the Howe of Fife with its vast forests was ideal for hawking as well as hunting deer and wild boar.

Blessed with a Royal presence, Falkland was made a Royal Burgh by James II in 1458 and the village prospered. Between 1453 and 1541 the old castle was transformed into a beautiful Royal Palace, one of the finest Renaissance Palaces in Britain.

Yet for all its splendor the Palace was often cloaked in the intrigue of Scottish politics. In 1402 the Duke of Rothesay, son of Robert III, was imprisoned in the Palace by his uncle the Duke of Albany and eventually died a cruel death from neglect and starvation. James V was ill at Falkland when he heard that his wife had given birth to a daughter - Mary Queen of Scots.

Falkland was a popular retreat with all the Stewart Kings and Mary Queen of Scots, but in 1603 when James VI took his court to London for the Union of the Crowns this signalled the end of an era both for the Palace and the village.

Although Charles I and II both visited Falkland, times had changed and later Cromwell's invading troops set fire to the Palace which quickly fell into ruin. In 1887 the restoration of the Palace was started by John Patrick Crichton Stuart, keeper of the Palace.

To this day the family continue to hold the position of both Constable and Keeper of the Royal Palace of Falkland. The National Trust for Scotland maintains the Palace and opens it to the public during the long summer season. A tour of the Palace will visit the Keeper's bedroom with the elaborately carved four poster bed of James VI, the 16th century Chapel Royal with its painted ceiling, the Tapestry Gallery and many other beautiful rooms which successfully capture the atmosphere of another era. The Trust's official guide book fully covers its history.

The Palace Gardens have also been beautifully laid out and situated in one corner is the oldest Royal Tennis Court in Britain. Built in 1539, it is Britain's oldest tennis court, which today is home to Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club.

Today Falkland prospers, yet still retains its ancient character. The village streets contains many attractive architectural features. Look out for the red pantiled roofs, thatched roofs and crow-stepped gables as well as marraige lintels, skew-putts and thack-stones!

For more info on Falkland's colourful history contact Falkland Society, or visit their unique archive reference collection of resources held in the Falkland Society Room at Falkland Library.

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