https://www.aboutstandrews.co.uk
While visiting Edinburgh, you can take a short train and see the wild coast of Scotland in the picturesque town of St. Andrews. Best known for its famous golf course and esteemed university, the town itself is beautiful and a fun place to walk in hundreds of years of history.
History
The town of St. Andrews was a hub of religious activity in the Middle Ages with its cathedral serving as the largest in Scotland at the time. Pilgrims flocked here from all across Europe to see the relics of St. Andrew that were housed in the cathedral. The town diminished in popularity as Protestantism took over Scotland and the grand cathedral fell into ruins. An enterprising 19th century mayor bet on a new sport to bring back the town’s prominence, and he was right. Now tourists come to St. Andrews to play its famed golf courses. And those of us who love the British Royal family come here to see where Prince William and Princess Kate met at the University of St. Andrews.
Visit
St. Andrews is a quick 1 hour train from Edinburgh, but once you arrive at the station in Leuchars, you have to take a 10-minute cab or bus ride into St. Andrews. The cabs are usually lined up to meet the trains, but there might be a slight wait. I recommend getting a card from the cab you use to call once you want a ride back as it can be difficult to hail one.
Have your cab drop you off right at the Old Course, which is the world’s oldest public golf course! We were there right before the 150th PGA Open event which made it even more spectacular.
We don’t really golf but it was neat to see. It’s just unbelievably beautiful! And it’s a good place to get souvenirs for those golf lovers in your life. Golf enthusiasts won’t want to miss the R&A World Golf Museum on the sea.
Walk down North Street to Greyfriars which will take you by an adorable independent bookstore, Topping and Company.
Make your way to Market Street which is a picturesque street full of shops, inlcuding a Waterstones and a little used bookstore, and restaurants.
This is a great place to get more souvenirs and to have brunch. We loved our meal at Mitchell.
Keep walking down Market Street as it leads to the ruins of the St. Andrews Cathedral, once the largest in Scotland. This grand entrance is on South Street.
The cathedral ruins were closed while we were there but it looks like you can now walk its grounds for free. The setting is dramatic with the coast dropping away into the sea below. Be sure to hold tight to little ones’ hands as the cliffs are steep.
This was the headquarters of the medieval Scottish Church, but it eventually fell into disrepair during the Scottish Reformation as its interior and then exterior were scavenged for building supplies. There is now a cemetery inside where many notable golfers are buried.
Keep the sea on your right as you walk down the cliff walk. It is spectacular with the roiling sea crashing against the windswept beach below.
You’ll come to the ruins of St. Andrews Castle which you can enter for a small fee. Built in the 12th century by a bishop, this castle became the site of a grisly murder of a Protestant reformer which led to the bishop being killed. The castle was in the middle of the Scottish Reformation wars with the pro-Catholic soldiers besieging the pro-Protestant soldiers in the castle. You can visit the dungeon and even the mines which were tunneled under the castle by both sides.
Continue walking the cliff walk and see the buildings of the esteemed University of St. Andrews on your left. Founded in 1413, this is the third oldest university in the world behind Oxford and Cambridge. I like to imagine Kate and William walking this very same path as they fell in love here!
The cliff walk continues back towards the golf courses. The coastline is so dramatic. You can kayak if you’re brave!
Be sure to see the Martyrs’ Monument which honors those who died during the Scottish Reformation.
If you have kids of any age with you, they will love a visit to the St. Andrews Aquarium which is a fun place to end your walk!
We especially loved the seals exhibit which took us outside to the dramatic coast! Don’t miss their feeding time!
Call a cab to take you back to the train station and don’t sleep as you’ll miss some of the beautiful countryside passing by!
St. Andrews is a great day trip from Edinburgh – historic and quaint. Make time in your Scottish vacation to see its sites!
Helpful hints:
- Cost: Most sites are free but the castle and aquarium have a small fee.
- Recommended: all ages
- Tour time: 2-3 hours
- Gift shops located at Old Course and along Market Street
- Transportation: Accessible by train from Edinburgh, St. Andrews is a small town that is easily walkable. Use a taxi or bus to get from the train station (Leuchars) to town.
- Dining options: Market Street has many restaurants and cafes. We loved our meal at Mitchell and it was very kid-friendly.
- Nearby hotels: We didn’t stay in St. Andrews as we visited just as a day trip from Edinburgh. There are many cute house rentals and hotels in the town – check out the tourism site here. Rusacks and the Old Course Hotel both look amazing, especially for golf aficionados.
- Nearby attractions include: If you have access to a car, Falkland Village (which serves as Inverness in the TV show, Outlander) is a great pit stop on the way to St. Andrews from Edinburgh.
Books to Read:
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Adult/Young Adult
- St Andrews: City by the Northern Sea
- Searching in St. Andrews: Finding the Meaning of Golf During the Game’s Most Turbulent Summer
- Two Years in St. Andrews: At Home on the 18th Hole
- John Knox
- The Fife Pilgrim Way: In the Footsteps of Monks, Miners and Martyrs
- Pilgrims in the Rough: An Unreliable History of St Andrews
Middle Grade
Picture Books:
