Our
second outing of the summer was oversubscribed, so it was a very full coach that
left a cold and overcast Edinburgh. Our coffee stop was at Dobbies Dunfermline
and then on to Falkland Palace where the driver had to park on double yellow
lines to let us off. Falkland
Palace was built by two Scottish
kings - James IV and V – between 1450 and 1541. It was the Stuart monarch’s country residence for 200
years – and a favourite place of Mary Queen of Scots,
who probably played tennis in the grounds which are home to the oldest Real or Royal tennis court in
Britain, built for King James the V. Some restoration work
was undertaken by the 3rd Marquis of Bute, in Victorian times, but Falkland Palace remains an atmospheric and lovely
Renaissance building.
We were asked to split into two groups with one group going round the Palace and the other the grounds. The grounds also include ruins of the 12th century Castle of Falkland, extensive gardens designed by Percy Cane and an ancient Orchard with a wild flower meadow. Part of the Palace is in ruins but the original and reconstructed rooms are packed with 17th-century Flemish tapestries, elaborate painted ceilings and antique furnishings. The guides in the rooms were very informative with many interesting tales. For those not aware, the skirting in the old library did not have dust on it. The skirting and the dust were painted on.
After our tour, by which time the sun was shining, we set off for St Andrews where we had time to wander around the town before heading on to the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links for a very enjoyable High Tea. On leaving the hotel we had to board the bus quicker than expected as the driver had difficulty parking the coach due to cars being incorrectly parked. He had to stop the coach on the main road which had only two lanes and ended up directing traffic around it.
Once back in Edinburgh we were dropped off and made our way home. For those who got of the coach early the driver ended up having to take the bus back to Earlston so those living to the south of Edinburgh could have been dropped off nearer home if they had waited.
Many thanks to Joan for organising the outing and all those that assisted with bookings, arrangements, etc.
We were asked to split into two groups with one group going round the Palace and the other the grounds. The grounds also include ruins of the 12th century Castle of Falkland, extensive gardens designed by Percy Cane and an ancient Orchard with a wild flower meadow. Part of the Palace is in ruins but the original and reconstructed rooms are packed with 17th-century Flemish tapestries, elaborate painted ceilings and antique furnishings. The guides in the rooms were very informative with many interesting tales. For those not aware, the skirting in the old library did not have dust on it. The skirting and the dust were painted on.
After our tour, by which time the sun was shining, we set off for St Andrews where we had time to wander around the town before heading on to the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links for a very enjoyable High Tea. On leaving the hotel we had to board the bus quicker than expected as the driver had difficulty parking the coach due to cars being incorrectly parked. He had to stop the coach on the main road which had only two lanes and ended up directing traffic around it.
Once back in Edinburgh we were dropped off and made our way home. For those who got of the coach early the driver ended up having to take the bus back to Earlston so those living to the south of Edinburgh could have been dropped off nearer home if they had waited.
Many thanks to Joan for organising the outing and all those that assisted with bookings, arrangements, etc.
