Royal Stables And Tennis Court, Falkland Palace

Royal Stables and Tennis Court, Falkland Palace

The Royal Stables were constructed between 1528 and 1531 as a long rectangular range, built of rubble with ashlar dressings, narrow windows, crowsteps and a slated roof. The building incorporates a horses' provender house, which was added in 1616 in anticipation of a visit by King James VI.

Between 1539 and 1541, a real tennis court was added to the east side of the stable range. This rectangular court is surrounded by high walls and contains internal timber penthouses (spectator galleries) with lean-to roofs to the south and east sides.

The Royal Tennis Court at Falkland Palace is understood to be the earliest surviving real tennis court in the world and is of exceptional national significance. It is the only roofless real tennis court in active use and the only surviving example of the earlier jeu quarré court design, which featured two rather than three sloping penthouse galleries. The court was built during the remodelling of Falkland Palace for King James V. The adjacent stable range, constructed slightly earlier, makes it an early example of its building type connected with a royal palace.

Real tennis, also known as Royal or Court tennis, was developed in France in the 12th and 13th centuries and was brought to Scotland in the 16th century through royal ties between the two countries. Sometimes known as the Sport of Kings, the game was played almost exclusively by royalty. Interest in the game waned somewhat in Scotland after the removal of the monarchy to London in 1603, though the 19th century saw a general revival of interest. Uniquely, architectural elements of the court—the side walls and sloping roofs of the penthouses—are utilised in playing the game itself.

The tennis court was restored by John Kinross for Lord Bute in 1895, with further restoration undertaken in 1955. It remains in use today and is home to the Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club. There are currently fewer than 50 real tennis courts remaining in the world, mostly in Britain with others in France, Australia and America. One other example in Scotland is located at Crosbie Road in Troon.