Falkland

Visit this former royal burgh, turned Scotland’s first conservation village.

Scotland has no shortage of picture-perfect little towns, and among them is Falkland. Scenically located at the foot of the Lomond Hills Regional Park, this former royal burgh became Scotland’s first conservation village. It is best known as the site of the 16^th-century Falkland Palace, a National Trust of Scotland site (open March – October 11 AM to 5 PM) which stands as one of the best examples of French Renaissance-inspired architecture in the UK. It’s also known for its Royal Tennis Club, the world’s oldest tennis court still in use, where Mary Queen of Scots once played.

In this charming medieval town, you’ll also find a number of other historically-protected buildings that line narrow cobbled streets. If you watch Outlander, the central square may give you a déjà vu moment, as it was used as a filming location, standing in for Inverness.