Falkland, small royal burgh (town) and former royal residence in Fife council area and historic county, eastern Scotland. It sits at the northern base of the East Lomond Hill, which has an elevation of 1,471 feet (448 metres). The burgh’s 12th-century castle was replaced by the present Falkland Palace, which from the 16th century became a favourite seat of the Scottish court. Falkland became a royal burgh in 1458, and its charter, which dates from 1160, was renewed in 1595. Pop. (2001) 1,170; (2011) 1,100.