Falkland Palace with Mr. and Mrs. C

One sunny Tuesday in May, Esther's parents, who were visiting for the week, very kindly took me to Falkland Palace! 

Before going to the palace, we had tea at this little place in Falkland called The Hay Loft. 

It is actually in the loft of the building, but the hay is all gone. 

Instead, they have tables and chairs and scones and tea and bacon sandwiches. 

Falkland Palace was the royal residence of the kings of Scotland.

It is also where Mary, Queen of Scots lived when she returned from France. 

Inside the actual palace photography isn't allowed, 

so unfortunately I haven't got any pictures to show you of the interior. 

It was pretty cool though! 

Much of it was restored in the 1800s because after Cromwell's troops burnt part of it down, it was neglected and fell into further ruin.

There are loads of portraits - especially of Charles II, who looks like Captain Hook. 

My favourite room was the library.

(Some of you may or may not be surprised at this.) 

It had shelves to the ceiling, lining all the walls. It even had a ladder to reach the books on the top shelves, like in Beauty and the Beast.

But the BEST part was the secret room behind the secret bookshelf-door.

It was just like something out of a mystery novel. 

One day, I shall have a library like that. 

Approaching the Palace.

Part of the Palace was destroyed in an "accidental" fire set by Cromwell's troops.
The guides didn't actually use air quotes, but they certainly gave the impression that they didn't think much of Mr. Cromwell and his men.

Their Royal Majesties :)

A giant game of draughts.

Tchoolips

The Palace seen from the gardens. 

In the gardens.

I love the red tree.

The fancy-dancy hothouse and beds.

Orchids inside the hothouse

The oldest "Real" (or Royal) Tennis court still in use today.
Real tennis is different from what we (I) think of as tennis.
You use the walls and the roof of the viewing gallery as part of the game, as well as the net.
And those lines on the floor have something to do with it too. 

Afterwards, we went to The Bruce for lunch. 

I really liked it. 

They played old music, which Mr. C tried to sing along with until Mrs. C told him to stop.

I also learned that back in the day, some places didn't allow dancing, so young people would kind of just bop around in their seats.

I also got a demonstration :)