One of four Royal Burghs which is quite special since it was
never represented in Parliament, or in the Convention of Royal Burghs
until modern times, they are known to historians as the four inactive
Royal Burghs of Fife.
Latin Motto
"Discite Justitiam Moniti Non Temnere Christum"
"Learn righteousness and take heed not to despise Christ"
King James II created Falkland a Royal Burgh in 1458.
The arms repeat the device on the Burgh seal of which a
seventeenth century impression is on record.
The stag resting under the blue sky in the shade of a great oak
tree refers to the Royal hunting Forest of Falkland, which was cut
down by Cromwellian forces in 1652 to supply wood for the
construction of a fort at Dundee; the Castle and later the Palace of
Falkland were favourite holiday residences of Scottish Kings from
James I to James VI.
