St Andrews

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.

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

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.

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.

• St Salvator's Quad

  address: North Street
  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

  address: South Street
  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

  phone: +44 1334 476452 or +44 1334 477178
  address: Canongate
  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.

• St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum and Gardens

  phone: +44 1334 477152
  address: 12-16 North Street
  Museum about the history of St Andrews. Displays feature old shops, furniture, art, etc relating to local area, gardens, and souvenir shop.

• British Golf Museum

  phone: +44 1334 460046
  address: Bruce Embankment
  This museum offers an interesting look at golf through the ages, next to the famous course where many consider the sport began.

• Aquarium

  phone: +44 1334 474786
  address: The Scores
  Aquarium with seals, fish, reptiles, etc. The seemingly diminutive exterior hides a fairly extensive complex.

• St Andrews Museum

  phone: +44 1334 412690
  address: Kinburn Park, Doubledykes Road
  Museum about the history of St Andrews. Also regular temporary exhibitions on various subjects.

• Museum of The University of St Andrews

  phone: +44 1334 461660
  address: 7a The Scores

• St Andrews Castle

  phone: +44 1334 477196
  address: Near the Cathedral
  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.

• St Andrews Cathedral and St Rule's Tower

  phone: +44 1334 472563
  address: North Street
  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.

• Pier and HarbourPier 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.

• 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.

• Byre Theatre

  phone: +44 1334 475000
  address: Abbey Street
  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

  phone: +44 1334 474610
  address: The Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens
  Arts Centre with crafts, exhibitions and performances.

• New Picture House

  phone: +44 1334 474902
  address: 117 North Street
  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).

• St Andrews Historical ToursIn 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

  phone: +44 1334 654038 or +44 7919 994951
  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 (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: +44 7957 585200
  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.

• Isle of May boat trips

  phone: +44 747 363 1671
  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.

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 LinksPlay 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

address: 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

phone: +44 1334 834038

address: Guardbridge

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.

St Andrews Highland Games are held annually at the end of July, the next event being 26 July 2020. 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 23 May 2020.

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.

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

  address: Church Street
  A famous bakery and confectioner. Their fudge doughnuts are a speciality.

• The Old Cheese Shop of St Andrews

  phone: +4 1334 477355
  address: Burghers Close, 141 South Street
  A small cheese shop with an international cheese selection.

• I. J. Mellis

  phone: +44 1334 471410
  address: 149 South Street
  A local chain of six cheese shops in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and St. Andrews.

• Your Shop

  phone: +44 1334 462730
  University of St Andrews merchandise, including clothing, can be bought from this shop which is run by the Students' Association.

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

  address: 131 South St
  Take-away serving pizza and fried food.

• Jannettas

  address: 31 South Street
  Excellent ice cream. They have 52 flavours, including the elusive Irn-Bru sorbet.

Mid-range

• The Oak Rooms

  address: 127 North Street
  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

  address: 3 Alexandra Place
  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

  phone: +44 1334 474371
  address: The Old Course Hotel, Old Station Road
  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

  phone: +44 1334 472611
  address: The Golf Hotel, 40 The Scores
  Nicely decorated, has sea views, good service. 2 AA rosettes. Excellent seafood and game.

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

  address: 77 Market Street
  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

  phone: +44 1334 477425
  address: Bell Street
  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

  address: North Street
  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

  phone: +44 1334 471111
  address: 177 South Street
  Local brewpub. Ask for a brewery tour during the week.

• Taste

  address: 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.

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

  phone: +44 1334 479911
  address: Inchcape House, St Marys Place
  Kitchen, laundry, free linen, showers.

• David Russell Apartments

  phone: +44 1334 467100
  address: Buchanan Gardens
  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).

• University Hall

  phone: +44 1334 467165
  address: Kennedy Gardens
  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.

• McIntosh Hall

  phone: +44 1334 467035
  address: Abbotsford Crescent
  University accommodation open for tourists between the beginning of June and end of August. Shared bathrooms only.

Mid-range

• Aslar House

  address: 120 North St
  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.

• Albany Hotel

  address: 56-58 North St
  Peacefully situated in the heart of historic St. Andrews this elegant Georgian terraced house dates from 1795.

• Kinburn Guest House

  phone: +44 1334 474711
  address: 5 Kinburn Place
  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

  phone: +44 1334 472019
  address: 68-70 Argyle Street
  Situated in the west end of St. Andrews, a few minutes walk from the west port and town centre.

• Pitmilly West Lodge

  address: 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.

Splurge

• Old Course Hotel

  address: Old Station Road
  Golf Resort and Spa overlooking the town golf courses and the North Sea. 109 rooms, 35 suitesaccording 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.

• Golf Hotel

  address: 40 The Scores
  Views over St Andrews Bay. Suites with up to 4 bedrooms available.

• Fairmont St Andrews

  phone: +44 1334 837000
  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.

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.

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

  phone: +44 1334 659378
  address: Church Square (Logies Lane)
  Bring any form of identification (passport, driving licence etc.) and you can use their computers with Internet for free.

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).

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.

• 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.