The 'picturesque' Scottish village with amazing palace named among top places to live

It is no secret that Scotland is home to more charming towns and villages than you can shake a stick at.

If you are having trouble choosing just one to visit for a day out, then a village that was recently named as one of the best places to live in the UK seems like a good start. Especially with the weather hopefully set to improve, Falkland could be the perfect destination.

Situated in Fife, the picturesque village is nestled between the two Lomond Hills. It is most well-known for the Falkland Palace and Garden, a royal palace of the Scottish Kings that dates back hundreds of years.

As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, Falkland was named as one of Scotland's top areas to live in The Times' annual Best Places to Live guide. The village was named as a regional winner, joining 72 other towns and cities across the UK.

As part of the judgment process, a panel from the newspaper visited all nominated spots and evaluated elements ranging from education and transport to internet speed and cultural offerings, along with access to green spaces and high street health. As per their description, Falkland has "bewitched for centuries with its narrow wynds, pretty stone cottages and atmospheric main street".

Elizabeth Adams, who operates the village's Fayre Earth shop, describes it as a "very picturesque, ancient, historic" destination, adding: "You've got visitors from all over the world. You can be talking to someone from Brazil then the next minute you're talking to somebody from Australia."

For centuries, tourists have found their way to Falkland, with recent interest spiking due in part to its appearance on the popular TV show Outlander. As fans will no doubt know, the photogenic village doubles as the city of Inverness in the series.

It is here that characters Claire and Frank spend their second honeymoon and encounter Mrs Baird, the enigmatic owner of their bed and breakfast, as well as local minister Reverend Wakefield.

Meanwhile, the village's most famous structure — Falkland Palace — was constructed between 1501 and 1541 by James IV and James V, replacing earlier castle and palace buildings dating back to the 12th century. It once served as countryside residence of the Stewart kings and queens as they hunted deer and wild boar in the area's woodlands.

Boasting some of the UK's most outstanding architecture from the era, Falkland Palace is home to one of just two 16th-century tennis courts in the nation — with the second found at England's Hampton Court.

It is easy to see why Falkland, with its unique heritage and charm, is an attraction for so many.

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