One a favored place of retreat and leisure for the Kings and Queens of Scotland, particularly the royal Stewarts, Falkland Palace is a formidable part of Scottish history. Built in 1501 by King James IV, it is one of only two Renaissance palaces in Scotland and strongly reflect the influence of French architecture. Mary, Queen of Scots, loved Falkland Palace and often went there to hunt and play tennis on what is today considered the oldest Real Tennis Court in Britain, and possibly the world.
In 1947, the garden surrounding the Palace underwent a 20th century redesign in the spirit of the past. Percy Cane, one of Britain’s leading garden designers, was commissioned to undertake this ambitious project. Faced with a blank canvas resulting from the World War II Dig for Victory campaign, which encouraged people to transform gardens, parks, and sports fields into allotments to grow vegetables, Cane had limited surviving historic evidence to work from. Nonetheless, he understood the significance of the Palace and its surroundings and laid out a garden that matched the splendor of the historical setting.
Today, the garden is one of the few remaining examples of Cane’s work in Britain. The garden is recognized for both its historical value and as a work of art in its own right. Yet, sadly, the garden has deteriorated and no longer represents Cane’s authentic planting design. Many plant species have disappeared from the original flower beds, while others have become overgrown. Weeds and disease have invaded the once fine lawns and there are gaps in borders where trees have blown down. The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA urgently needs your help to restore this important landscape.
An incredibly generous donor has pledged to fund half the project, provided the Trust can raise the balance of $25,000 by January 1, 2016. Donors 0f $200 or more will receive a special thank you gift of a royal Stewart tartan coin purse made of genuine Scottish-made Lochcarron wool, while supplies last.
Donations may be made online at www.ntsusa.org/give/donations/, or mailed to The National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, 45 School Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02108.
