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House
and Gardens Full or Half Day
Falkland
is Fife's most picturesque small town, with wonderful old
houses with crow-stepped gables, cobbled streets, floral displays
and hanging baskets. Falkland Palace was the country residence
and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs, including Mary
Queen of Scots. The walled gardens are internationally renowned
and within them the world's oldest Royal/Real Tennis Court,
still in use today. We return to St Andrews over the steep
road that cuts between the Lomond Hills, with fine views of
surrounding hills and the Firth of Forth. Half Day.
As an alternative, both Kellie Castle and Tarvit Mansionhouse
can be visited in a half-day. The 14th century Kellie Castle
overlooks rolling farmland and the Forth estuary. There are
magnificent plaster ceilings, murals, painted panelling and
much fine furniture. The Victorian walled garden, with its
cottage garden feel, is stunning. Tarvit Mansionhouse was
built in 1906 for a wealthy merchant as a showcase for his
collection of Flemish tapestries, Chinese porcelain and bronzes,
French and English (Chippendale) furniture and paintings,
including works by Raeburn and Brughel. There are fine gardens
with formal yew hedges. Your guide has an expert knowledge
of plants and will be pleased to accompany you on the garden
tours.
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