Introduction

St Andrews (pop 16800) is a historic-and very popular-town in the east of Scotland. The town is located in the region of Fife about a ninety minute drive N.E. of Edinburgh.

Attractions

St Andrews attracts guests with a wide range of interests, including golf, ancient cathedral, castle, shopping, university and beaches. Close by are whisky distilleries at Kingsbarns and Eden Mill. A visit fits in nicely with a tour of the Fife Coast with Edinburgh as start point or destination.

Here is an image of the West Sands, not just an innocuous beach, but location for the opening scenes of the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.

Here is the famous Swilken Bridge on the Old Course with Royal and Ancient in the distance. Golfers and visitors alike stop here for a photo opportunity. The Old Course is just one of the golf courses comprising St. Andrews Links. Other courses are New Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course, Balgove Course and the Castle Course.

Castle

This is an image of the ruins of St Andrews Castle. This castle was originally the power base of the bishops and archbishops reflecting the status and power of St Andrews in the context of the medieval Scottish (Catholic) Church. Today’s ruins date from a re-build undertaken in the late 14th century after the devastation caused by the Wars of Independence (with England). The castle fell into ruin from the late 17th century onwards.

Cathedral

Here are the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral, a building located close to the castle. The Cathedral was begun 1160 and grew to become the longest and greatest church in Scotland. It was also a place of pilgrimage as legend has it that the bones of St Andrew were brought ashore close by (hence name) in the fourth century. In medieval times the Cathedral suffered extensive damage due to fire and storm but it was the Reformation in 1560 which finally sealed its fate. Most of the site was subsequently used as a burial ground.

Panorama

The above video clip of St Andrews was taken from atop St Rule’s Tower at the Cathedral.

Visiting

Visitors should allow about three hours to cover the key sites.

More information

More information on St. Andrews and other important sites in Scotland can be found in the Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4