St Andrews, a historic town on Scotland's East Coast in the Kingdom of Fife, is renowned for its golf history and the prestigious University of St Andrews.
The town in the Kingdom of Fife boasts a varied geography punctuated by medieval streets, rugged coastlines, and the iconic Old Course, cementing St Andrews as the 'Home of Golf'. Beyond education and sports, the town's economy thrives, encompassing tourism and service industries, as visitors flock to explore its cultural landmarks, including the remains of the medieval cathedral and St Andrews Castle. St Andrews University holds the distinction of being Scotland's first university, founded in 1413. St Andrews University is rich in tradition and academic excellence, the university continues to attract students from around the world.
The town of St Andrews is located in the Kingdom of Fife, with the North Sea encroaching upon its eastern flank. The town's topography is characterized by a captivating mix of coastal terrain, including beaches such as the renowned West Sands and an undulating inland landscape that rises gently from the sea level. Prestigious golf courses dot its land, seamlessly blending into the topographical fabric of the area. The medieval layout of the streets and remnants of ancient structures speak to a rich historical past etched into the very soil of St Andrews.
Take a trip to St Andrews University, which has a rich history dating back to 1413, making it one of the oldest universities in the world. It has maintained a prestigious reputation across several academic fields. In addition to its academic excellence, St Andrews University boasts a stunning collection of historic buildings. Plenty of the University's academic schools are scattered throughout the town, each with unique charm and architecture to explore.
St Andrews is a place that is synonymous with golf. It is considered the birthplace of golf and has a rich history that is deeply intertwined with the game. The town of St Andrews has ten courses in total with the most famous of them being the Old Course.
The Old Course
One of the most iconic golf courses in the world is the Old Course. It is a revered destination for golf enthusiasts considering playing on its hallowed fairways. Walking on the same grounds where the greatest players in the sport have competed is a thrilling experience for many.
The Old Course, also known as the Old Lady, is the oldest golf course in the world. It is a public course that is situated on common land in St Andrews,it is held in trust by the St Andrews Links Trust.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club clubhouse is situated behind the first tee. From the famous Swilken Bridge spanning the Swilken Burn, Hell bunker on the 14th hole, or the infamous Road Hole, the 17th, every aspect of this course adds to the magical historical golfing experience.
The Old Course has hosted the Open Championship 30 times since 1873, the most recent being in 2022 when Cameron Smith won the prestigious Claret Jug. The Old Course has hosted more Open Championships than any other course, cementing its place in golfing history.
St Andrews Golf Courses
Royal and Ancient Golf Club
The R&A also known as the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is a cornerstone of the global golf community, with a history stretches back to 1754. It's known for its governance role, along with the USGA, in setting the rules of golf. With its famous clubhouse sitting directly behind the iconic 1st tee of the Old Course.
The West Sands is a well-known beach in St Andrews that gained popularity after being featured in the 'Chariots of Fire'movie. It stretches for almost two miles and is made up of uninterrupted sand and dunes, with the world-renowned Old Course set in the background. The beach is located around a 15-minute walk from the town centre. There is plenty of car parking available, along with plenty of information about the beach, to ensure everyone's safety. The West Sands is preferred for activities like walking, running and swimming. It's well worth exploring if you have some spare time when in St Andrews.
St Andrews is a well-connected town that offers a variety of transportation options for residents, students, and tourists. The town can be accessed easily by road from all major Scottish cities. However, St Andrews doesn't have a train station, but it is serviced by the nearby Leuchars station, which is around 10 minutes from St Andrews.
If you're travelling to St Andrews from Edinburgh, the quickest route is to take the A90 over the Queensferry Crossing, which connects to the M90. Continue driving north until junction eight and then join the A91 following the signs to St Andrews. Edinburgh to St Andrews should take around one hour.
If you're travelling from Glasgow, take the M8 towards Edinburgh, and turn onto the A80, which is about seven miles outside Glasgow. Continue driving on the M80 over the Clackmannanshire Bridge, this leads to the M90 (junction 6). Head north on the M90 until you reach junction 8, then take the A91 and follow the signs to St Andrews. The estimated travel time is approximately two hours.
If you're travelling by plane, Glasgow and Edinburgh airport offer plenty of connections for both internal and international flights. Alternatively, Dundee Airport offers limited internal flights however is significantly closer to St Andrews.
St Andrews is a town that encourages a healthy and environmentally friendly way of life by offering multiple cycling and walking paths. The town is conveniently compact, making it easy for pedestrians and cyclists to explore its streets and scenic routes. These paths are well-marked and provide a safe and enjoyable way to discover the town. The university and local councils have collaborated to integrate these pathways into the town's infrastructure, ensuring easy access to important locations like the historic centre, beaches, and residential areas.
St Andrews Cathedral
St Andrews is famous for its historical landmarks that draw history enthusiasts who love to explore the ancient ruins, splendid medieval architecture, and sites steeped in centuries of history.
One of the most notable landmarks of St Andrews is the St Andrews Cathedral, which serves as a testament to Scotland's medieval past. Despite being in ruins, it remains one of the largest Cathedral ever constructed in Scotland. Visitors can appreciate its former glory and imagine its past prestige while enjoying the North Sea's beautiful view. The ruins of the Cathedral provide a glimpse into the extent of its grandeur, stretching approximately 119 meters long.
While the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral are open to the public, the Cathedral has some fences around it, including a section of the graveyard.
St Rule's Tower, which is 33 meters tall and has 156 steps, may have been the largest Church in Scotland. Therefore, St Rule's became the headquarters of the Scottish Church.
Although the Cathedral church is now in ruins, large sections still survive, including the east gable of the presbytery, the south wall of the nave, and the majestic west front. The cloister has ruined chapter houses and the restored stone-vaulted undercrofts, which is where the Cathedral Museum is located. The museum has on display fascinating artefacts from the early medieval era to post-reformation times.
St Andrews Castle
St Andrews Castle is famous for its breathtaking location on a steep cliff overlooking the sea. It has a tumultuous past, marked by sieges, murder, and the notorious "bottle dungeon." Over the centuries, the castle's ruins have served as the bishop's palace, a fortress, and a state prison. Today, visitors can venture into the underground tunnels and soak in the stunning views of the sea. Those who want to delve deeper into the castle's history can book tours that offer a comprehensive insight into its past. Please check the Castle opening times as they may vary depending on the season.
R&A World Golf Museum
The R&A World Golf Museum is a place where you can experience golf's history, present, and future. With thousands of intriguing objects on display, you can discover the hidden stories behind the game. The museum's impressive collection is rooted in St Andrews, the birthplace of golf and only around 100 yards from the first tee of the Old Course. You can connect with the game's medieval origins and explore its development through the years, from the earliest societies to the latest technology, fashion, and major championships, including The Open, the oldest Major in golf.
The R&A World Golf Museum is well worth a visit and has something for everyone as you learn about the evolution of the game of golf, you can also enjoy engaging exhibitions and events in the Museum.
The museum has a shop along with a rooftop restaurant, The Niblick, which offers stunning views of The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, West Sands and the historic Links.
At Xplore, we love going to St Andrews, we do like our golf which helps but it really is a truly wonderful town on the Fife Coast. St Andrews is a magical place, from standing behind the 18th green watching golfers go down the first or complete their round, posing for pictures on the Silken Bridge or trying to avoid the Valley of Sin you can't not enjoy St Andrews.
St Andrews is a walkable town, you can get to most places on foot. The town centre has some lovely restaurants and coffee shops to sit in, from the buzz of its social scene to the history of the cathedral and castle.
