PARISH OF FALKLAND.

The PARISH of FALKLAND lies to the west of the centre of the County, as viewed from north to south. It contains the Royal Burgh of Falkland, and the villages of Newton of Falkland and Freuchie. It is bounded by the parishes of Strathmiglo and Portmoak in Kinross shire on the west, by Strathmiglo and Auchtermuchty on the north, by Kettle on the east, and by Markinch and Leslie on the south. Its length eastward is about six miles, and its greatest breadth about four miles. Its ancient name was Kilgour, signifying, "the pleasant Church;" and its modern name, which seems to have some reference to the manly sport of hawking, was applied in succession to the royal park or chase of Falkland, to the castle, to the palace, to the town, and ultimately to the Parish. The Eden flows along part of the northern boundary line, and an affluent of the Leven on the southern. The surface is beautifully diversified and in many places finely ornamented with wood. There is a considerable tract of level ground between the northern boundary and Falkland, which formerly formed part of the royal chase; to the south of which the ground rises abruptly into the East Lomond Hill and the high ridge which connects the East with the West Lomond, and then descends to the south of this range until it joins the parish of Leslie; but the lowest point of the southern slope is much higher than that of the northern. In the general landscape of this part of the County, the range of the Lomonds, with the two peaks which form their eastern and western terminations, respectively 1471 and 1500 feet high, are beautiful and interesting features; and the several views from their summits are extensive and fine. That from the East Lomond is peculiarly beautiful in the summer season. The whole Howe of Fife, dotted with villages, gentlemen's seats, finely wooded parks, and fields waving in the autumn with golden corn, seems to be at the feet of the spectator, and constitutes a panorama not to be equalled by any view in the County. Nothing now remains of the ancient forest of Falkland, in which our old Kings so often enjoyed the pleasures of the chase, except a small portion of natural wood at Drumdreel, in the parish of Strathmiglo. After the departure of Janies VI. to occupy the throne of England, it was comparatively neglected, and was utterly destroyed by Cromwell in 1652, who cut down and carried off the trees for the purpose of using them in the construction of the fort he was then erecting at Dundee. About a mile to the west of Falkland is the House of Falkland, the residence of Mrs O. Tyndal Bruce, a splendid Elizabethan mansion, built in 1839 44, at a cost of at least £30,000. To the west of the House of Falkland is Kilgour, where the Church once stood. Few parishes have made greater advances in agricultural improvement than Falkland has done. The great extent of drainage operations carried on by the late Mr. Bruce, and, after his decease, by his neice and her husband, have reclaimed a great extent of ground; and good grain crops are now produced far up the Lomonds, where formerly there was only pasture for sheep.

The town of Falkland stands at the north base of the East Lomond Hill, ten miles south west of Cupar, three from the Falkland Road station of the E. P. & D. Railway, about the same distance from the town of Auchtermuchty, and about fifteen miles from Perth. It consists of one main street, broad and spacious at the east end, but narrow and crooked at the west end, with some lanes, the houses having in many cases somewhat of an antiquated appearance. It still retains vestiges of its former greatness in some of its local names, such as College Close, Parliament Square, West Port, &.c &c. It was at one time regularly afflicted with malaria from neighbouring marshes, but since these were drained the place is now remarkably healthy. Falkland was originally a Burgh of Barony, belonging to the Earls of Fife, and was erected into a Royal Burgh during the reign of James II., in 1458. The charter was renewed by James VI. in 1595. Among the privileges which these charters conferred was the right of holding a weekly market, and four fairs or public markets annually. Latterly the annual fairs were increased to seven, but the one in November is the only one that is now well attended. Falkland appears never to have exercised its right of electing a Member to the Scottish Parliament, and therefore its privileges were overlooked at the Union; and so far as electoral rights are concerned, the Burgh merely forms part of the County, but in all other respects it enjoys the privileges of a Royal Burgh. It is governed by a provost, two bailies; eight councillors, a treasurer, and a town clerk. The Town House, which is ornamented by a Spire, was erected in 1802, and contains a Hall, in which the Burgh courts and meetings of town council are held; and also rooms for a prison, which is, never used except as a temporary lock up. The town has a splendid supply of spring water, which is brought from the Lomonds in pipes, and distributed in wells in different parts of the town.

The chief object of attraction in Falkland is the Royal Palace., which stands at the east end of the town, on its north side, lining with its enclosing wall part of the street; and, being much higher than the other houses in the place, can be seen at a great distance. This interesting edifice was originally a stronghold belonging to Macduff, Earl of Fife, which, on the forfeiture of Murdoch Duke of Albany, in 1424, was attached to the crown, and, as we have already said, became a hunting seat of the Scottish monarchs. The present building, which is but one of three sides which formerly existed, was erected by James V., who died in it. The other two sides were accidentally destroyed by fire in the reign of Charles II. It was the favourite residence of James VI., probably on account of that monarch's attachment to hunting, for which the adjacent forest afforded excellent opportunities. The last royal personage who occupied it was Charles II., who resided in it for some days, both previous to and after his being crowned at Scone. Until the erection of the present Manse, it was possessed by the minister of the Parish. Being then left tenantless it fell into utter decay; the roof was demolished, the floors destroyed, and almost everything but the walls gave way. This was owing to the neglect of the keeper, who held his office in connection with a neighbouring property. At length the estate was purchased by Mr Bruce, one of Her Majesty's printers for Scotland, who resolved to rescue the Palace from the fate which seemed to threaten it. He commenced in 1823, a course of operations which may rather be called a restoration than a repair. He renewed the roofs and the floors, caused the windows which had been built up to be re opened, and the crevices in the walls to be plastered up with cement, fitted up the interior as an elegant modern mansion, and finally decorated the environs with the appropriate charms of a flower garden. Before the whole of these elaborate and expensive operations had been completed, he was removed by death, but the work has been perfected according to his appointment by his heiress and her husband; and it is now a pleasure, instead of a mortification, to contemplate this remarkable monument of the taste and magnificence of one of our most beloved monarchs. Mr Robert Chambers, in his Gazetteer of Scotland, says, "The front of Falkland palace externally has a marked resemblance to that of Holyrood as existing; before the conflagration of 1651; namely, a double tower at one end, with a lower and castellated range of building running off towards the other. Underneath the double tower a wide arched way gives admission to the Court yard. At the top of the same edifice there is a stone, having engraved upon it the following unquestionable apothegm: 'Deus dat cui vult,' God bestows his gifts on whomsoever he pleases. Along the lower range of the building are three or four pilasters, or rather buttresses, each having a niche formerly adorned with a statue. A similar style of architecture obtains behind, with this remarkable addition, that the walls are relieved by large medallion like stones on which the remains of heads en profile are still discernible. The splendid ceiling of the large hall or audience chamber, carved and painted in the most gorgeously beautiful style, is still happily entire. Besides this great northern quarter of the palace, there still also remain the interior wall of the east side, and a. vast square building about two hundred yards off, supposed to have been a tennis court, or place for the exercises of chivalry, the marks of the galleries being visible on the walls. While the front is spoiled by its obtrusion on the town, it fortunately happens that the back is very differently circumstanced. In this quarter is a fine large enclosed garden kept in the best condition. At present the house is inhabited by the factor of the proprietor of the estate. Falkland, having been principally used as a hunting seat, ranks perhaps lowest in the splendid list which includes the palaces of Holyrood, Stirling, and Linlithgow. Its appearance, however, and the tradition of its original extent, are calculated to support the theory that the Scottish monarchs were as well lodged as any cotemporary princes".

The building that ranks next in importance to the palace is the Parish Church, which was erected in 1849, through the liberality of O. T. Bruce, Esq., at a cost it is said of £7000. It is a handsome structure surmounted by an elegant Spire. To perpetuate the memory of this gentleman for his great liberality to the Parish, not only for this, but for other acts of munificence, a monument has been erected on a spur of the Lomonds, which is .seen at a great distance. For some time previous to that gentleman's death, he contemplated erecting a public fountain at the Cross, but was prevented by illness, which ultimately proved fatal, from accomplishing his purpose. His intentions however were faithfully carried into effect by his widow, who erected a handsome fountain, which proves a great ornament to that part of the town,

The villages of Freuchie and Newton of Falkland have rather a mean looking appearance, being built in no regular plan; and the chief streets being the public road, they are unpaved, and there being no proper gutters, the whole has rather a neglected and dirty appearance. In the former village there is a large power loom factory, built in 1860, in the town of Falkland and the villages of Newton and Freuchie, the inhabitants are mostly hand loom weavers. There are farina mills both at Dunshalt and Falkland Road, and a small engineering establishment at the latter place. There is no other particular branch of industry except the usual rural agricultural avocations.

In addition to the Parish Church, which has been already noticed, there is a Free Church at Falkland, and a U. P. Church at Freuchie; there is also an Independent Chapel in Falkland, but it has not been regularly used as a place of worship for a number of years. The educational establishments are, the Parish School, a substantial and commodious structure erected a few years ago. There is also an Adventure School, and a Female Industrial School at Falkland under the Patronage of Mrs O. T. Bruce; in the latter music is also taught. There is a Subscription School at Freuchie, which also includes a Female Industrial Department; the buildings there contain excellent school rooms and dwelling houses for both the Master and the Mistress. The main portions of the buildings were erected a few years ago, and a considerable amount of debt remained, which tended very much to hamper the exertions of the Committee. By the aid, however, of a subscription and a Fancy Bazaar got up by the ladies of Freuchie and Neighbourhood, the whole debt was wiped off in 1861.

The nearest railway stations are Falkland Road, on the E. P. & D. Railway, and Auchtermuchty, on the Fife & Kinross Railway, both being about three miles distant from Falkland. An omnibus leaves Falkland for the former station, twice a day, the exact time being regulated by the railway time tables.

The POST TOWN for the whole Parish is Ladybank, with Sub Offices at Falkland and Freuchie, Robina Reidie, Sub Post Mistress Falkland, and David Webster, Sub Post Master Freuchie. A walking postman leaves the Office at Falkland at 5. A. M. and 1.35 P. M. travelling along the road by Newton of Falkland, Freuchie, and Kettle, to Ladybank. He leaves Ladybank on his return along the same route about 8.45 A. M, and 5.30 P. M. and reaches Falkland about 10 A. M. and 7 P. M.

BAKERS.

Bonthrone, Alex., Newton of Falkland

Falkland Provision Society (Jas. Bethune,Manager)

Freuchie Old Provision Society (James Lumsden Manager)

Murdoch, George, Falkland

BANK.

CITY OF GLASGOW BANK, Falkland. Charles Gulland, Agent

BLACKSMITHS.

Annan, David, Freuchie

Gray, John, Bridgend, Freuchie

Porter, William, Falkland

Robertson, J., & D., do

BOOT & SHOEMAKERS.

Adamson George, Freuchie

Allan, Alexander, Falkland

Berwick, David, Freuchie

Forsyth, Andrew, Falkland

Forsyth, George, do

Galloway, John, Freuchie

Kennedy, Robert, Falkland

Mitchell James, F euchie

Reekie, John, Falkland

Reid, David, do

Smith, John, do

Thomson, David, do

Webster, David, Freuchie

BUILDERS.

Jackson, Alexander, Falkland

Page, George, do

CARRIERS.

Oliphant, Wm., from Stratlimiglo to Falkland and Perth, every Thursday

Nicolson, David, from Falkland to Kirkcaldy, every Tuesday and Friday

Scott, John, from Freuchie to Falkland Road Station and Falkland, twice a day, to Kirkcaldy, on Tuesday and Friday, and to Newburgh, on Monday and Thursday

CARTERS & LAND LABOURERS.

Birrell, John, Newton of Falkland

Crombie, Robert, Falkland

Dick, John, Newton of Falkland

Donaldson, George, Falkland

Donaldson, James, do

Duncan, David, do

Fernie, George, do

Lawson, James, Balmblae, do

Leishman, John, Freuchie

Marshall, William, do

Peggie David, Crosskeys, Freuchie

Scott, John, (& Carrier) do

Seath, James, Newton of Falkland

Simpson, John, Freuchie

Storrar, Michael, Balmblae, Falkland

Wallace, John, Newton of Falkland

CATTLE DEALERS.

Duncan, David, Falkland

Duncan, William, Newton of Falkland

Fernie, John, Balmblae, Falkland

Fernie, David, Falkland

Leishman, John, Freuchie

Smith, James, Falkland

CHINA MERCHANTS.

Brady, Hugh, Freuchie

Kay, Margaret, do

Reidie, C., & A., Falkland

CLERGY.

Burnside, Thos., Free Church, Kilgowrie Knowe, by Falkland

Gray, J., U. P. Church, Manse, Freuchie

Macduff, Robert C. H., Parish Church, Manse, Falkland

DRAPERS.

Those marked thus.* are also Milliners.

Grant, John, Freuchie

Lumsden, James, Old Store, Freuchie

* Reekie, James, Falkland

* Wilson, Andrew, do

DRESSMAKERS & MILLINERS, See also Drapers.

Allan, Mrs, Freuchie

Duncan, Isabella, do

Duncan, Janet, do

Galloway, Janet, Falkland

Grant, Mrs David, Freuchie

Kilgour, Mrs John, Falkland

Livingston, Mrs Thomas, do

Miller, Miss Ann, do

Reekie, Miss Margaret, do

Walker, Misses E., & J., do

Wilson, Mrs George, (& Furnishing Shop) Freuchie

FARINA MANUFACTURERS.

Hay, Donald, Falkland Road

Storrar, R., & J., Dunshalt, by Auchtermuchty

FARMERS

Annan, Thomas, Kilgowrie Knowe

Barclay, Robert, Drums

Baxter, George, Myreside

Birrell, David, West Conland

Bonthrone, Alex., Newton of Falkland

Bruce, Mrs O. T., Home Farm, House of Falkland

Dandie, Andrew, Falkland

Duncan, Charles, Nether Drums

Duncan, John, Balreavie

Fernie, Alexander, Falkland

Galloway, James, Easter Glasslie

Hay, Donald, Falkland Road

Henry, Robert, Little Freuchie

Kirkaldy, William, Myreside, by Falkland

Landale, James, Newton of Lathrisk

Landale, James, Woodmill

Leishman, Alexander, Freuchie

McCash, James, Pitilloch

Morgan, John, Kilgour

Oliphant, Andrew, Gowrie Cottage

Reid, Walter, Falkland

Russell, James, Falkland Wood

Taylor, Andrew, Falkland

Thomson, William, Templeland

FLESHERS.

Forsyth, James, Falkland

Gourlay, Jane, do

Leishman, Alexander, Freuchie

GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.

Birrell, Mrs Freuchie

Bruce, Mrs O. T., House of Falkland

Christie, Mr David, Falkland

Isdale, Mrs, do

Kilgour, Mrs William, do

Peters, Mr David, Newton of Falkland

Ronaldson, John, Esq., do

Russell, Henry, Esq., Chapelyard, Falkland

Seton, Christopher, Esq., Millfield House, Falkland

Wilson, Major, Easter Ballo

GROCERS,

Those marked thus * are also Spirit Dealers.

Allan, Mrs John, Falkland

*Anderson, George, Falkland

Bethune, J., Co Operative Store, Falkland

*Birrell, D., & J., Newtown of Falkland

Clark, David, do

Duncan, Mrs, Falkland

Gibb, Christian, Freuchie

Halkerstone, Wm., do

Heggie, Thomas, Falkland

Henderson, Jas., Jun., do

*Kay, Margaret, Freuchie

Livingstone, William, do

Kilgour, William, Falkland

Lumsden, James, Old Co Operative Store, Freuchie

Miller, James, New Co Operative Store, Freuchie

Reidie, C., & A., Falkland

*Walker, John, do

INNKEEPERS, See also Vintners.

Anderson, George, (Commercial) Falkland

Craw, John, (Bruce Arms) do

INSURANCE AGENTS.

Gulland, C., Banker, Falkland, Insurance of Scotland, fire and life

Anderson, George, Merchant, Falkland, City of Glasgow

JOINERS & WRIGHTS.

Aitken, Archibald, Freuchie

Bisset, James, Falkland

Duncan, Robert, Freuchie

Lindsay, David, Falkland

Miller, Robert, do

Watt, Peter, Freuchie

Wishart, John, Falkland

LAND STEWARDS.

Taylor, James, (Freuchie Mill and Purin) Freuchie Mill

Scott, David, (Falkland Estate) Summerfield, Falkland

LIBRARY.

Falkland Public, Library, open every Tuesday and Friday evening, from 6 to 8, in the Directors' Room, Falkland Gas Works, David Page, Librarian

LINEN MANUFACTURERS.

Lumsden, Walter, & Son, (Power Loom) Freuchie

Reekie, James, Falkland

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.

Gulland, William, M.D., Falkland

Lyall, James, do

MILLERS.

Landale, Jas., (Corn & Barley) Woodmill

Pryde, A., (Corn & Barley) Freuchie Mill

Pryde, Andrew (Corn & Barley) Falkland

POULTRY & DAIRY PRODUCE DEALERS.

Birrell, James, Freuchie

White, James, Falkland

SLATERS.

Lamond, Walter, Falkland

Sinclair, James, Freuchie

SOCIETIES & CLUBS.

Falkland Funeral Society, Peter Dick, President, James Cooper, Treas., Chas. Birrell, Sec.

Falkland Funeral & Deposit Society, David Kilgour, President, John Harvey, Treas., James Robertson, Sec.

Falkland Manage, or Saving Fund Yearly Society, David Forsyth, President, Christopher Reekie, Treas., James Cooper, Sec.

Falkland and Stratheden Horticultural and Cottage Gardening Society, Mrs Bruce, House of Falkland, Patroness, Alexander Skinner, President, John Cruickshank, Treas., J. Cruickshank and John Robertson, Joint Secs.

Falkland Ornithological Society, James Smith, President, David Alexander, Treas., John Williamson, Sec.

Falkland Curling Club, C. Gulland, Esq., President, John Duncan, Vice President, Alexander Duncan, Treas. & Sec.

Freuchie Funeral & Deposit Society, John Kay, Treas., Jas McIntosh, Sec. (1861)

TAILORS.

Those marked thus * are also Clothiers.

Adamson, David, Freuchie

Alexander, David, Falkland

*Anderson, George, do

Craig, James, do

Gilmour, George, Freuchie ,

Kilgour, David, Falkland

Kilgour, Robert, do

*Scott, James, Freuchie

Robertson, James, Falkland

TEACHERS & SCHOOLS.

Cruickshank, J., Parish School, Falkland

Hunter, J., Subscription School Freuchie

McColl, Alex., Adventure School, Falkland

Norrie, Misses Helen, & Barbara, Female Industrial School, Music, &c., Falkland

---------, --------------- Industrial Department, Subscription School, Freuchie

VINTNERS, See also Innkeepers.

Braid, Robert, Freuchie

Fernie, Jane Falkland

Gilmour, George, Freuchie

Henderson, James, Falkland

Peggie, David, (Ales) Crosskeys, Freuchie

Sharp, Helen, Falkland

Smith, James, do

Strachan, David, do

WEAVERS' AGENTS.

Birrell, Charles, Falkland

Lambert, William, do

Rodger, James, Freuchie

Sharp, Robert, Falkland

MISCELLANEOUS.

Bonthrone, Alexander, Brewer& Maltster, Newton of Falkland

Buist, David, Barber, Freuchie

Cruickshanks, John, Registrar, School House, Falkland

Dick, John, Manager of Gas Works, Dunshalt, by Auchtermuchty

Fernie, David, Post Runner, from Falkland to Ladybank, Falkland

Foote, George, Excise Officer, Newton of Falkland

Fowler, George, Gardener, Palace Garden, Falkland

Gulland, Charles, Writer, Town Clerk, and Collector of Poors' Rates, Falkland

Halkerstone, George, Machinist, Freuchie

Howden, Francis, Esq., Factor for Falkland Estate, Falkland Palace

Kilgour, John, Town & Sheriff Officer, Keeper of Town Hall, Falkland

Kilgour, William, Stationer, Sub Collector of Taxes, and Sub Distributor of Stamps, Falkland

McEwan, William, Painter, Paper Hanger & Gilder, Falkland

Mackay, Allan, Engineer, Millwright, SawMiller & Wood Merchant, Channellhall Mill, Falkland Road

Page, D., Manager of Gas Works, Falkland

Rodger, Robert, Inspector of Poor, Falkland

Scott, John Linen Weaver, (Steam-Power) Freuchie

Smith, Wm., Manager of Brick and Tile Works, Dunsbalt, by Auchtermuchty

Williamson, John, Saddler, Falkland

ADD

Cassels, Andrew, Vintner, Crosskeys

Duff, William, Vintner, Freuchie

Halkerstone, William, Merchant, Freuchie, Agent for Pullar & Son, Dyers, Perth

McIntosh, James, Manager, Kettle and Freuchie Gas Works, Freuchie

Whitehead, Mrs, Female Industrial Department, Subscription School, Freuchie

DELETE

Gilmour, George, Vintner, Freuchie

Peggie, David, Vintner, Crosskeys