The Fife village that was crowned 'most picturesque' in Scotland
Scotland is jam-packed with lovely towns and villages that each have something to offer. When it comes to choosing a staycation spot, there are almost too many to list.
One Scottish village that has earned particular praise is Falkland. As previously reported by the Daily Record, the Fife settlement topped a list of the most "picturesque" settlements in the country.
Falkland is perhaps most famous for its palace, with Falkland Palace known as a favourite destination of Mary, Queen of Scots. The palace is home to sprawling formal gardens and even one of Britain's oldest tennis courts.
Another highlight of the village is the Falkland Estate, which includes various picturesque walking trails that date back to the Victorian and Edwardian eras. It also has a café, where visitors can enjoy light lunches in a beautiful woodland garden.
Elsewhere, Falkland is the site of the historic Bruce Fountain. The ornamental fountain is located on Falkland's High Street, and dates back to 1856.
Speaking of the village's High Street, it features an array of charming shops and other businesses. Visitors can shop for vintage clothes, gifts, antiques, and more.
Keen-eyed Outlander fans may also recognise Falkland, as the village was previously used as a filming location for the iconic historical drama. Falkland was used to portray the city of Inverness, where characters Claire and Frank arrive on their honeymoon.
When it comes to choosing a place to stay in Falkland, there are plenty of options. From cottages that can be rented out to a number of hotels, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice.
One popular holiday rental in Falkland is Malt Barn Cottage, which sleeps up to two guests. The property can be booked through holidaycottages.co.uk at a price of £432 for two nights.
Inside, the single-storey detached period cottage includes historic features such as stone walls and wood panelling. There is also a fully enclosed garden with two sets of tables and chairs for al fresco dining.
On holidaycottages.co.uk, Malt Barn Cottage has earned mostly positive feedback from guests. A recent visitor described it as a "wonderful cottage in a wonderful location", though another said that the "cleanliness of kitchen needs attention".
Elsewhere, Dunira is a one-bedroom home situated in the heart of Falkland. It is available to book for £552 for three nights through Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The detached cottage, which was built in 1749, is described on the listing as an "an ideal base for a romantic break". It features a shaker-style kitchen, a living room with a wood-burning fire and a TV, and a bathroom with a large freestanding copper bath.
Dunira has a rating of 4.8 out of five on Sykes Holiday Cottages based on 74 customer reviews. One recent guest described it as "lovely inside and out", while a previous visitor called it "cold".
In terms of hotels in Falkland, among the most popular is The Covenanter Hotel. The inn features five bedrooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a coffee shop.
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