St Andrews area ©
Independent golfing in the ancient Kingdom of Fife

What to do all day in St. Andrews

On sunny days used books (some great finds here) and plants are sold in the Market Square, middle of Market Street

Tourist Information Centre -- 70 Market Street, which is one of the three main shopping streets along with North and South Sts. Excellent place for orienting yourself to the area. I always make this my first stop. Loads of free material as well as nice stuff to buy, most of it made in Scotland. Pick up a free local map. Tel/01334 472021.

St. Andrews Castle -- With its waveswept backdrop this was the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of the Reformation. See the Bottle Dungeon, hollowed out of rock, from which the only escape was death. History really comes alive here.

St. Andrews Cathedral -- Tour this yourself or go with an organized tour. Climb St. Rule's Tower for a sumptuous view of the town and area. At one time this was Scotland's largest cathedral.

Take a tour of the University-- You no longer can catch a glimpse of Prince William here as he has graduated. But St. Andrews University was a renowned and beautiful academic centre long before William's arrival. Scotland's oldest university, it was an ancient seat of learning and is set amongst elegant ivy-clad buildings and delightful quadrangles and gardens. You are welcome to walk the grounds here at any time and you can also take a student-guided tour during the summer.

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Enjoying strolling in the lovely grounds of St. Andrews University.

Walkies -- An excellent little booklet available in the Tourist Information Centre is "St.Andrews and East Fife VIllages on Foot." I love this little guide. So many beautiful places to walk here. Our favorite evening stroll is down Murray Park (street with all those B & Bs) to the seafront. If you turn left, you walk along The Scores (street along the seafront) and come to the Old Course. Since in the summer it stays light until very late, there are always golfers coming back down the 17th and 18th holes. The long shadows make the course look magical. On the other hand, If you turn right at The Scores, you come to the University and then the Castle and the harbour.

Shopping -- Market and South Streets are the main shopping streets. It's fun just to stroll up and down both. Here are a few things I've singled out, but you will discover many more as you browse.

Market Street --

#149 is Highland House Kiltmaker. Also on Market Street is Tesco (supermarket), Boots (pharmacy), and an excellent health food store owned by a most helpful and knowledgeable couple, Susanne and Hugh Livingstone. (Hugh is also a fine artist.) The Tourist Information Centre (see above) is on Market Street, and is a good place to begin your day. Market Street is lined with a panoply of shops and eateries--something for everyone. The street is very short so start anywhere and walk up and down both sides.

South Street -- is the other rewarding shopping street. Again, quite short, so browse along both sides of the street. And when you're on the south side, be sure to step back in time and visit #131. J & T Rodger "The Meal Shop" was founded in 1774, so you know it's going to be fascinating! Too varied to be described, it has many items you will never find anywhere else. All sorts of goodies to eat and hard-to-find foods, as well as pet products and everything in between. Bet you can't go in without finding something you must have! A good example of why people like to come to Scotland.

#201 South Street is another example of the traditional "High Street shop." This delectable little produce shop features local items. (The Scottish strawberries are YUM.)

St. Andrews Preservation Trust Museum & Garden, at 12 North Street, is a charming 16th Century house with interesting displays regarding the town's history. There's a lovely little garden where you can sit and relax in this hidden beauty spot.

Guided Walks -- Tourist Information Centre has further details.
	St. Andrews is very picturesque and fascinating, so these walks are enjoyable as well as informative. Led by qualified guides who cover such highlights as the Old Course, Cathedral, Castle, University, etc., the walks last 1-1/2 hours.

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Old Course Guided Tour -- Ideal for the non-golfer who wants to beome more familiar with the legendary St. Andrews Old Course. The interesting little tour covers the first hole (not all 18) and other aspects you will enjoy knowing about. Saturdays & Sundays in June, and daily in July & August. Tours go every hour from 11-4, and start at the golf shop behind the 18th hole of the Old Course. Small admission fee. The Tourist Info Centre has a little brochure on it.

Byre Theatre -- check with the Tourist Info Centre for schedule. This is a fine theatre, right in town, presenting plays year round. We've seen several well-done productions here.

Craigtoun County Park -- lovely to look at and fun to visit, with boating, a little train, and lots of other outdoor activities. On the outskirts of town, take a bus to it or drive (see your town map).

St. Andrews Botanical Gardens, at the Cannongate. This also you can drive to or take a bus, although many people walk to it. It's clearly signposted and anyone can direct you. Indicated on your town map. Internationally acclaimed 18 acres of eye-filling plants.

West Sands -- the beach running next to the St. Andrews golf courses is not only fun to walk on, horses are often exercised here as well. But it's famous most of all because this is where the great race scene in "Chariots of Fire" was filmed.

The West Sands, looking out onto the beach where Chariots of Fire was filmed, and (below) looking back at town.

Just northwest of St. Andrews - in Leuchars (follow the A919)

12th Century Norman Church -- St Athernase -- Historic architecture "The second finest piece of Norman work in the whole of Breat Britain." Built in 1187 by a crusader, much of the church remains just as the stonemasons left it over 800 years ago. Open April to October, with guided tours on Tuesdays, when their Coach House Cafe is also open. Admission is free, but the upkeep on this architectural treasure is sizable and therefore donations are always welcome. www.leucharsstathernase.org.uk

VERY SPECIAL - "The Secret Garden" of Fife
Adjacent to the spectacular Kingsbarns Golf Club (in Kingsbarns, only a few miles south of St. Andrews on the A917) is Cambo Estate Gardens. You will see the signpost pointing left just after you pass the golf course.

Let me tell you about Cambo Gardens, which is often referred to as the East Neuk's Secret Garden. And it is. Cambo Gardens take you back into another era, another century, to a storybook world where all is lovely--a fairytale land of beauty and gentle charm. Utterly tranquil, I had the place all to myself on a foggy May morning. How grateful I am for the dedicated people who maintain the sacredness of this place. Each time we return to Fife I make a pilgrimage to the "secret garden." Cambo Gardens are exquisite in any season--

There is a pleasant footpath from Camgo Garden to the sea. Along the way you'll meet the two Cambo Estate pigs, Holly and Ivy, who work hard to keep some of the area free of weeds. (Don't worry, they are fenced in,) Cambo Gardens gets my highest rating.

I cover other towns when Richard reviews their golf courses, and have more suggestions for you there. Lots of other worthwhile and delightful things to see and do outside of the town of St. Andrews but yet nearby. Especially refer to my notes on the Crail Craighead page.

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When you're hungry in St. Andrews