St Andrews

The Royal Burgh of St Andrews is a small town (population 18,000) in the kingdom of Fife on the east coast of Scotland, facing the North Sea, and hosting the oldest university in Scotland. The town is perhaps most famous, however, as the home of golf.

For other places with the same name, see St Andrews (disambiguation).

St Andrews Castle

Understand

St Andrews was historically the Ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. The cathedral was the most important in Scotland during the mediaeval period, and the Bishops of St Andrews lived in St Andrews Castle. John Knox preached in the town.

The university grew up out of the cathedral, and was founded in 1410, being the oldest university in Scotland, and the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. Today, the university dominates the town, particularly during termtime. The university is often seen as being quite elite, and was the place of education of Prince William, second in line to the British throne.

St Andrews is also seen as the Home of Golf, being the home of the Royal and Ancient, one of the oldest Golf Clubs in the world and the R&A one of game's worldwide ruling bodies. There are a large number of golf courses or links, as coastal courses are properly known. The most famous golf course in the world, the Old Course is in St Andrews. It hosts the Dunhill Cup each October and, more importantly, the Open Championship every five years with the next scheduled Open to be held in July 2021.

Get in

By plane

The nearest major international airport to St Andrews is at Edinburgh - 51 mi (83 km), approximately 60 minutes from St Andrews by train or car. From the airport take any transportation to Haymarket (Edinburgh) and connect from there by train (see below).

Flights to London are also available from nearby Dundee Airport - 14 mi (23 km).

By train

Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom.

The nearest train station is at Leuchars, about 10 km away. It is served by trains from Edinburgh (about 1 hour, costs £13.50 single or £17.10 off-Peak return) and Dundee/Aberdeen. There are some direct trains from London.

To connect to St Andrews take a bus close to the train station. These buses take about 10 min and cost £2.80 single or £5.05 return (combined train+bus tickets are available).

Taxi service is available at Leuchars and it will cost about £12 to reach the centre of St Andrews.

By bus

Stagecoach Fife operates buses to St Andrews. From Dundee take Stagecoach Buses 99 or 96 which cost £4.70. From Edinburgh (long distance Bus Station at St. Andrew Square) you can take the direct Stagecoach Bus X59 which leaves about every hour, takes about 1h 50min and costs £10.80 single and £14.40 return (with free WiFi).

By bicycle

The National Route 1 goes through Leuchars, Guardbridge and St Andrews. This stretch is separated from the road, but shared with (rarely occurring) pedestrians.

Get around

The town is small enough that it is simplest to walk. Taxis are also available (taxi ranks are on an street connecting Market Street to South Street called Bell Street, outside Holy Trinity Church on South Street and also at the bus station). Bus services link some of the outlying areas, operated by Stagecoach Fife.

There is a Park & Ride scheme, where visitors can leave their cars outside of the town in a large carpark, and take a bus into the town centre, though it is easier to walk the 200 metres or so from the outlying carpark to the high street. It is very difficult, and expensive, to park in the town. There is also a complex one-way system, resulting in it taking longer to drive from one part of the town centre to another than it would to walk.

See

• 🌍 St Salvator's Quad, North Street (behind St Salvator's Chapel). Open daily. This is the historic Quadrangle of St Salvator's College of the University and teaching still takes place in the college buildings. St Salvator's Chapel is used for University services every Sunday, and visitors will see staff and students in the traditional university dress (red gowns for undergraduate students of the United College). After chapel, students walk down to the end of the pier in the traditional Pier Walk. On North Street, just outside St Salvator's Quad, visitors will see the letters PH in the cobbles. This is the site where the martyr Patrick Hamilton was burned at the stake, and it is considered bad luck to walk on the letters: it is said that students who walk across these letters will fail their degree but can remove the 'curse' by bathing in the sea at dawn on 1st May (the May Dip).  
• 🌍 St Mary's Quad, South Street (enter through black iron gate with words "In Principio Erat Verbum"). Open daily. This is the historic quadrangle of St Mary's College, University of St Andrews (founded 1410). On entering the quadrangle from South Street, St Mary's College is on the right - now houses the university's Faculty of Divinity. On the left of the gate is Lower Parliament Hall which was temporarily the site of the Scottish Parliament during an outbreak of plague in Edinburgh from 1645-6, and is now used as the University Debating Hall. The building on the left of the Quadrangle is now the School of Psychology, but was formerly the University Library (which was a copyright library 1710-1837). The tree on the right hand side of the Quadrangle was planted by Mary Queen of Scots. This is commonly mistaken for the large oak tree present in the centre of the Quadrangle. On the far side of the Quadrangle is the ruined remains of a gate, now being restored, and beyond that lies the Bute Medical School, dating from 1899. Information panels in the Quadrangle give visitors historical information.  
• 🌍 St Andrews Botanic Gardens, Canongate, ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily, May-Sept: 10AM-7PM; Oct-April: 10AM-4PM. It was founded as the University Botanic Gardens in 1889, and is now run by Fife Council. Beautiful landscaped gardens, with different conditions (water garden, heath garden, peat garden, rock garden, Chinese garden, Chile garden). Eight beautiful glass houses with orchids, cacti alpine and tropical plants. £2 adults, £1 child, friends of Botanic Garden free. 
• 🌍 St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum and Gardens, 12-16 North Street (Close to Cathedral), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Daily, 2PM-5PM. Museum about the history of St Andrews. Displays feature old shops, furniture, art, etc relating to local area, gardens, and souvenir shop. Free, but donations welcome. 
• 🌍 British Golf Museum, Bruce Embankment (near the Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse), ☎ [phone]. Easter-Oct: M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 10AM-5PM; Oct-Easter: daily 10AM-4PM. This museum offers an interesting look at golf through the ages, next to the famous course where many consider the sport began. £8 (£6 senior citizens & students; children free) ticket valid for 2 days. (updated Apr 2017)
• 🌍 Aquarium, The Scores, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Aquarium with seals, fish, reptiles, etc. The seemingly diminutive exterior hides a fairly extensive complex. £6.20 (Child £4.40; OAP £5.00; Student £5.20). 
• 🌍 St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park, Doubledykes Road (in middle of Kinnburn Park), ☎ [phone]. Museum about the history of St Andrews. Also regular temporary exhibitions on various subjects.  
• 🌍 Museum of The University of St Andrews (MUSA), 7a The Scores, ☎ [phone]. Apr-Oct: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-4PM; Nov-Mar: Th-Su noon-4 PM. Free. (updated Mar 2015)
• 🌍 St Andrews Castle, Near the Cathedral, ☎ [phone]. Apr-Sep: daily 9:30AM-6:30PM; Oct-Mar: daily 9:30AM-4:30PM. St Andrews Castle, built in approximately 1400, is where the Bishops of St Andrews lived before the Reformation. It has also served as a fortress and even a prison, but fell into ruin in the 17th century. It has a beautiful location next to the sea. See and explore the mine and counter-mine built under the Castle during a siege in the 1540s. £5.50 (Child £3.30, Concessions £4.40, joint Castle & Cathedral ticket available).  

St Andrews Cathedral

• 🌍 St Andrews Cathedral and St Rule's Tower, North Street, ☎ [phone]. Apr-Sep: daily 9:30AM-6:30PM; Oct-Mar: daily 9:30AM-4:30PM. Ruined cathedral. St Andrews was the Ecclesiastical Capital of Scotland before the reformation, and St Andrews Cathedral was the most important cathedral in Scotland. Constructed between 1160 and 1318, it was consecrated in the presence of the legendary Robert the Bruce. However, the cathedral fell into disuse in the 1550's, following the Reformation, and many of its stones were removed in the 17th century to construct other buildings in the town. Its picturesque outline remains, however, including stunning towers. Museum tells of the history of the cathedral, and has mediaeval sculpture and artefacts from the site. Cathedral ruins can be explored, and panels explain history. St Rule's Tower, a remnant of the church that predated the cathedral, can be climbed and provides stunning views over St Andrews and the surrounding area. The grounds are free of charge to the wandering tourist. To go up St Rule's Tower costs £4.50 adult, £2.70 child, £3.60 concessions (joint Castle & Cathedral ticket available).  
• 🌍 Pier and Harbour (Walk down The Pends to the harbour/pier area). Pier and harbour have survived from St Andrews fishing industry history. This is a pretty place to walk to on a summer's day, with views from the end of the pier of the whole of St Andrews Bay and across the mouth of the Tay to the mountains of Angus. On Sundays, staff and students walk to the pier in their traditional academic dress at the end of chapel. 
• 🌍 West Sands (beach). One of St Andrews' three beaches, it is the largest, accessible from The Scores. There are large dunes (not accessible to the public) and a large expanse of sand. Several scenes from the film Chariots of Fire were filmed on this beach. 

St Andrews from the West Sands

• 🌍 East Sands (beach). Accessible from The Scores. This is a smaller and more sheltered beach than West Sands. 
• 🌍 Castle Sands (beach). This is the smallest of St Andrews' beaches, located below the castle. It is the site of the annual May Dip, where students jump into the sea at daybreak on 1st May as part of an ancient university tradition. 

Do

• 🌍 Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Professional theatre, variety of repertory productions on. Also some touring productions and some good amateur productions. Also has a cafe-bar.  
• 🌍 Fife Contemporary Art & Craft (Crawford Arts Centre until 2006), The Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens (Located in St Andrews Town Hall), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F 10AM-5PM. Arts Centre with crafts, exhibitions and performances. Free for exhibitions (extra price for performances, varies with performance).  
• 🌍 New Picture House, 117 North Street, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Open daily, depends on film. Independent cinema, varied selection of films, from new releases to some alternative, independent, or foreign language films (especially during termtime). Late night showing on Wednesday night during university termtime (usually old/cult film). £4.20 (£5.20 for Circle in Auditorium 1; £3.20 Child; £3.50 Senior Citizen).  
• St Andrews Historical Tours. In the summer months, the University of St Andrews sponsors historical tours of the town, including the castle ruins, cathedral ruins, and historical sites of the University. 

The Isle of May from Crail

• 🌍 The Isle Of May, ☎ [phone], [phone]. Small island lying in the entrance to the Firth of Forth, approximately 5 miles off the Fife coast. National Nature Reserve owned and managed by Scottish National Heritage. Seals can be seen all year round, whales can be spotted in late July and August. Notable for its many seabirds, especially puffins, which can be seen in their thousands from April to July and are the island's main attraction. Boat trips start from 🌍 Anstruther (15 km south of St Andrews). To get there take Stagecoach Buses 95 (40 min) or X58, X60 (20 min) which all cost £4.10. 
  • Anstruther Pleasure Cruises, ☎ [phone]. Boat trips on the 'May Princess' (100 passengers, small snack bar and toilets) leave once a day (except some weekdays in April and May) from Anstruther's middle pier from April 1 to September 30. Tickets can be purchased from the small kiosk on the pier from which the boat leaves. Note that sailings can be cancelled at short notice depending on the weather conditions. The entire trip takes 4.5 to 5 hours which includes 2.5 to 3 hours on the island. £24 adult, £20 concession (over 65, student, 16-17 years), £12 child (ages 3 - 15), £60 family ticket (2 adult + 2 children). 
  • Isle of May boat trips, ☎ [phone]. Trips almost daily from April 1 to September 30. Two types of tours are offered on a 12 passengers RIB boat. One includes some time on the island and takes 2-3 hours in total. The other tour takes 2 hours but there is no possibility of getting on the island. Tour with time on island: £25 adult, £20 student, £18 child (15 or under). Tour without landing on island: £20 adult, £15 child. 
• Walk the golf course. The game of golf had its beginnings in this little Scottish town and even non-golfers should consider a stroll along the perimeter of the very first golf course, the old course. Watch out for flying balls, except on Sunday when the old course is closed and anyone can walk on its fairways. Located on the edge of the course is the imposing Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse . If you're lucky, you may spot one of the celebrities who occasionally visit to play the famous course (including not just Tiger Woods but amateur golfers such as Michael Douglas and Samuel L. Jackson).
• Play a round of golf, Playing St. Andrews' Old Course can be a difficult accomplishment, often involving exorbitant greens fees and a long waiting list. Golf enthusiasts may wish to contact The Royal and Ancient Golf Club well in advance. As an alternative, consider a round on one of St. Andrews' many other courses - ask at the tourist information office for more information.
• St Andrews Links. Play golf. 
• Stroll along the beaches, Yes, St. Andrews has three beaches (see above), but don't break out your swimming gear. Only the most brave or most foolish would attempt to dip in the frigid North Sea, particularly given Scotland's chilly clime (though this doesn't deter the annual "May Dip"!) The beaches are pleasant, however, and provide a nice view of the town.
• Fast Boat Trips, St Andrews Harbour Marina. Take a fast boat trip on a RIB from St. Andrews harbour. Trips are available out into St. Andrews Bay to look for seals, dolphins and other wildlife. 
• 🌍 Eden.Mill (Formerly Eden Brewery), Guardbridge (about 1.5km south of Leuchars Railway station, and about 7km west of St Andrews), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Very good microbrewery and distillery close to Leuchars and on the way to St Andrews. They offer a 1 hour tour with samples, which you need to book in advance. Their range includes beers stored in former whisky barrels. They also produce gin and started their whisky production in 2015. Tour £7.50. 
• St Andrews Highland Games are held annually at the end of July, the next event being Mon 29 July 2019. There are also Games in June in Cupar and in Ceres a few miles west.
• Fife Agricultural Show is held in May in Cupar. The next event is Sat 18 May 2019.

Learn

The University of St. Andrews was founded in 1413 and is the oldest university in Scotland. Today it is a bustling university of approximately 7,000 students, with its most famous recent alumni being Prince William and his wife, both of whom studied at the university from 2001–2005 (William in geography and Catherine in art history). Its campus, which is spread throughout downtown St. Andrews, features many interesting historical buildings, including the 16th Century St. Salvator's Chapel. It offers degree programmes in humanities, social sciences, divinity, sciences and medicine.

Buy

Golf souvenirs, accessories, and equipment can be purchased in many shops around the town, with several specialist shops near to the Old Course, including the prestige outlets within the Old Course Hotel's shopping arcade.

Numerous tourist-friendly shops line Market Street, South Street, North Street, and The Links in central St Andrews. Shops primarily feature golf paraphernalia, Scottish souvenirs, and wool products.

There are a number of high-street stores in St. Andrews, including Monsoon, Waterstones, Currys, Boots and others, all of which are primarily located on Market Street.

The town has two supermarkets: the fairly small and busy Tesco Metro (situated on Market Street), and Morrisons ̈(situated further out of the town at the end of Largo Road̠). There is a butcher's shop and a greengrocer on South Street (West Port end), a fishmonger is further along South Street who also sells game, a café that sells a variety of delicious scones (in Bell Street), delicatessen stores, and a health food store.

• Fisher and Donaldson, Church Street (Between Market and South Streets). A famous bakery and confectioner. Their fudge doughnuts are a speciality. 
• The Old Cheese Shop of St Andrews, Burghers Close, 141 South Street, ☎ [phone]. A small cheese shop with an international cheese selection. (updated Mar 2015)
• I. J. Mellis (Cheesemonger), 149 South Street, ☎ [phone]. A local chain of six cheese shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and St. Andrews. (updated Mar 2015)
• Your Shop (Formerly Book Exchange & Stationery Store, B.E.S.S.) (Situated at the front of Students' Union on St Mary's Place), ☎ [phone]. University of St Andrews merchandise, including clothing, can be bought from this shop which is run by the Students' Association. 

Eat

If you have the opportunity, indulge in "chips and cheese" from one of the small fish and chips shops. You will find yourself enjoying steak fries smothered in salt, vinegar, and melted cheese, the perfect snack if you've just emerged from one of the nearby pubs.

Budget

• 101 Connection (formerly Pizza Connection'), 131 South St (opposite the remains of Blackfriar's Chapel), ☎ [phone]. Take-away serving pizza and fried food. 
• Jannettas, 31 South Street (the end of South Street nearest the cathedral), ☎ [phone]. Excellent ice cream. They have 52 flavours, including the elusive Irn-Bru sorbet. 

Mid-range

• The Oak Rooms, 127 North Street, ☎ [phone]. Food available noon-10PM. Ranges from baguettes and soup to steaks, salmon and venison (recommended). Excellent butterscotch sauce accompanies the sticky toffee pudding. Nicely decorated dining area. Also a 3-star hotel. Prices from £2.50 for the soup of the day to £17.95 for the marinated lamb loin. 
• Balaka, 3 Alexandra Place (end of Market Street, near Students' Union), ☎ [phone]. M-Sa: lunch served noon-3PM, dinner served 5PM-1AM; Su: dinner served 5PM-1AM. Bangladeshi cuisine. Prices from £2.95 for lentil soup to £14.95 for a Tandoori Mixed Grill. 

Splurge

• The Road Hole Grill, The Old Course Hotel, Old Station Road, ☎ [phone]. Daily 7-10PM. On the top floor with fine views over the golf courses, West Sands and North Sea. 3 AA rosettes. Excellent meat, game and seafood dishes. Open kitchen. Excellent and attentive service. Extensive (and expensive) wine list. Very pricy. 
• number forty, The Golf Hotel, 40 The Scores, ☎ [phone]. Nicely decorated, has sea views, good service. 2 AA rosettes. Excellent seafood and game. £25-30 for 3 courses. 

Drink

St Andrews features several quaint pubs, many of which are taken over by university students in the evenings during the academic year. Pubs worth buying a pint in include Ma Bell's, The Criterion, The Oak Rooms, The Raisin, The Lizard Lounge, The West Port, and The Victoria ("the Vic").

• The Central, 77 Market Street, ☎ [phone]. Daily. Pleasant pub in centre of St Andrews. Bar in centre of pub. Serves good range of beers and ales. Tables outside pub. Sports shown on small television in corner, but many people don’t watch it. Range of cheap but good quality food. Popular with both students and locals. 
• 🌍 Aikman's Bar and Bistro, Bell Street, ☎ [phone]. More a proper 'pub' than a bar. Has many fine European beers and ales. Serves food till late. Friendly barmen are up for banter and always ready to recommend a drink to suit your tastes. Downstairs is the Cellar Bar, open every evening, a cosy area where you'll find each week's selection of real ales. Most Tuesdays in the Cellar is 'session' night, where a small live group plays traditional Scottish music. Pub quizzes are also hosted here. Live music upstairs every Friday. 
• The Lizard Lounge, North Street (Underneath The Oak Rooms). The closest thing St Andrews has to a club. Gets very busy on Friday and Saturday - people even dance! DJs Friday & Sat, Live Music on Mondays. 
• 🌍 St Andrews Brewing Company, 177 South Street, ☎ [phone]. Local brewpub. Ask for a brewery tour during the week. 
• 🌍 Taste, North Street (On the West End of North Street). For non-alcoholic drink, the very small coffee shop has acquired a reputation as a characterful second home for students which serves excellent coffee and light food. 

Sleep

There are many Bed and Breakfasts and Guest Houses in St Andrews, most of which are centrally located. The majority of these in Murray Park and Murray Place. Prices are generally in the £25-35 range per person per night.

Budget

• St Andrews Tourist Hostel, Inchcape House, St Marys Place (Opposite Students' Association, above Grill House Mexican restaurant. In centre of St Andrews, close to bus station), ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Kitchen, laundry, free linen, showers. £12-£16. 
• David Russell Apartments, Buchanan Gardens, ☎ [phone]. Modern apartments with 5 double ensuite bedrooms and a kitchen/living area per apartment, situated roughly a mile from the town centre. This is student accommodation most of the year, so is only open to the public from June till August. Bistro on site and also a bar. Games room and laundry facilities also available. Best suitable for 6 people (with a maximum of 10 people). 3 nights from £450 per apartment. (updated Mar 2015)
• University Hall, Kennedy Gardens, ☎ [phone]. University accommodation open for tourists between the beginning of June and end of August. Single and twin rooms are offered with either shared or en-suit bathrooms. £40-65 per room with breakfast. (updated Mar 2015)
• McIntosh Hall, Abbotsford Crescent, ☎ [phone]. University accommodation open for tourists between the beginning of June and end of August. Shared bathrooms only. £40-65 per room. (updated Mar 2015)

Mid-range

• Aslar House, 120 North St, ☎ [phone]. Bed and breakfast accommodation within the heart of St. Andrews medieval town. Quietly refined with modern amenities, Aslar's period style accommodation provides guests with a chance to relax, unwind and take advantage of everything St. Andrews and the East Neuk has to offer - with a fantastic breakfast and superb hosts with unlimited local knowledge. Prices start at £45 for a single room through £96 for a double room per night, with many options in between. 
• Albany Hotel, 56-58 North St, ☎ [phone]. Peacefully situated in the heart of historic St. Andrews this elegant Georgian terraced house dates from 1795. Prices start at £80 for a single and £130 for a double room per night. 
• Kinburn Guest House, 5 Kinburn Place, ☎ [phone]. Bed and breakfast centrally located in St. Andrews, within close walking distance to town centre, golf courses and beaches. Kinburn is ideally located for your stay in St. Andrews, run by Scottish hosts. 
• Yorkston Guest House, 68-70 Argyle Street, ☎ [phone]. Situated in the west end of St. Andrews, a few minutes walk from the west port and town centre. Bed and breakfast from £45 per person per night. 
• Pitmilly West Lodge, Kingsbarns. Although it's about 4 miles from the centre of St Andrews, this guest-house is in a wonderful location and anyone who has ever stayed there praises the owners for their hospitality, their wealth of local knowledge and not least the quality of the cooked breakfast! The decor in this upmarket B&B is of the very highest standard. Rooms start at £38 pp/pn. 

Splurge

• Old Course Hotel, Old Station Road. Golf Resort and Spa overlooking the town golf courses and the North Sea. 109 rooms, 35 suites--according to the website, all rooms boast bathrobes, iron and ironing board, slippers, wireless connectivity, mini-bar, direct dial telephone, tea and coffee making facilities, voicemail, hairdryer, CD player, toiletries and best water pressure in the United Kingdom. Expect to pay at least £280 per room per night. 
• Golf Hotel, 40 The Scores. Views over St Andrews Bay. Suites with up to 4 bedrooms available. Bed and Breakfast from £100 per person per night (£15 for a child sharing a room with 3 adults, £50 for an extra adult sharing a room with 2 adults). 
• Fairmont St Andrews, ☎ [phone]. Originally opened as the St Andrews Bay Resort & Spa, this magnificent hotel complex sits on the summit of a spectacular formation, the hotel and its two stunning golf courses have breathtaking panoramic views of the Eden estuary and the medieval skyline of St Andrews. Expect to pay at least £160 per room per night. 

Stay safe

St Andrews is one of the safest places in the world, with practically a non-existent crime rate. General caution, however, applies, as it does anywhere.

Connect

There are internet facilities in Costa Coffee (Market Street, opposite the fountain). If you have your own laptop, though, there are wireless facilities in many other cafés, pubs and restaurants: Taste, Starbucks, Beanscene, The Byre Bistro, The Rule, The Westport, and Zest Juicing.

• St Andrews Library, Church Square (Logies Lane), ☎ [phone]. M F Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Tu-Th 9:30AM-7PM, Su closed. Bring any form of identification (passport, driving licence etc.) and you can use their computers with Internet for free. (updated Mar 2015)

St Andrews is over run with payphones, which take coins and cards (and you can also surf the web in some). They're the cheapest way to call other landlines in the UK (unless you have access to a private number).

Cope

There is a municipal gym in the East Sands Leisure Centre (off the east sands) which also has a swimming pool. For the more deluxe option, you can indulge yourself at the Old Course or Fairmont St Andrews hotels. University students tend to patronise the University Sports Centre on the North Haugh.

Go next

• St Andrews is close to the larger cities of Dundee and Edinburgh.
• A visit to the nearby Isle of May is highly recommended (see above).
• A trip along the East Neuk to visit the picturesque fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie is also highly recommended.