Ritchie: "Granted to the MacDuff Earls of Fife in 1160...blah, blah, blah...In the 18th century handloom weaving and in the 19th power-loom weaving brought modest prosperity but little development, thus preserving the ancient layout and close harmony of the burgh...In 1970 Falkland became the first Conservation Area in Scotland. Apparently the facade of Falkland Palace--"the earliest essay in full Renaissance architecture"-- is worth seeing, but personally I'd go look at the royal tennis court, since I've seen the other one, which is at Hampton Court. And then I'd get a cup of tea and a well- preserved National Trust bun. Am I helping?" Yes, sure -- especially since you are quoting from that delightful encyclopaedia, Encycl. Scotland. What I was wondering if the origin of the toponymy. You must have a Dict. of Scottish Placenames (alla Dict. of English Placenames). My thought was the obvious one that Falkland means "falk" -- variation of 'folk', people and "land" -- but I haven't done a lot of research on 'falk', so I do not know. I see from what you wrote that the clan-name of the Vicount Falkland is "McDuff" -- but was wondering about the phrase 'falk-land' itself. Especially, since it must border with other places NOT called 'falkland', and since 'falkland' I'm assuming means 'folk-land', then what was so democratically especial about the land granted to the vicount McDuff? Cheers, JL ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com