The Howe of Fife

The Howe of Fife, in the centre of 'the Kingdom', is a low-lying stretch of ground (or 'howe') at the foot of the twin peaks of the heather-swathed Lomond Hills.

This rich agricultural land of the Eden valley is scattered with small, pretty villages, such as Ceres, home of the oldest Highland games in the world or the old county town of Cupar, which was the original seat of justice and government for the whole of Fife.

Nestling in superb gardens, the royal palace of Falkland was once the country residence of the Stewart kings and queens as they hunted deer and wild boar in the forests of Fife. Built between 1501 and 1541 by James IV and James V, the palace has some of the most exceptional architecture of its time in Britain. It is also the home on one of only two 16th-century tennis courts (the other is at Hampton Court in England). The surrounding village of Falkland is equally picturesque.