St Andrews is a great start for discovering Scotland’s history and still today the town tells you stories on how it once was the the center of religious life in medieval Scotland but it also has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
Things to do around St.Andrews:
St Andrews Ghost Tours – www.StAndrewsGhostTours.com
Where the past merges with the present!
Join us on an early afternoon or evening unique tour of historic St Andrews learning about its more elusive residents!
Based on the local bestselling book Ghosts of St Andrews by Richard Falconer,
St Andrews Ghost Tours is an unusual and informative visit to a great many haunted locations around the town and features around 60 ghosts plus unpublished ghostly accounts.
Your guide Richard has researched the town since 1987 and has recorded over 100 haunted locations.
He says “there is an account or story to be found every few yards in St Andrews.
Guided walks approx 1.5 miles, duration approx 75 minutes,
from Church Square, South Street (by Holy Trinity Church).
Tours finish at Cromars Fish and Chip Shop, East End Market Street St Andrews.
2pm and 7pm daily (Except Mondays & Bank holidays only)
£10 Adults
£7 Children under 14,
£7 Students, Benefits, Pensions
Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult
£32 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children under 14)
£36 Group Ticket (4 Adults)
Large group/bespoke bookings welcome.
Book here or for further details go to: Visit Scotland Tourist Information Centre, 70 Market Street or visit:
St.Andrews Tourist Information Centre, 70 Market Street, St Andrews.
- Tel: 00441334 472021
Summer Months Only: Old Course Guided Walks.
- Join an expert guide on a tour of the world’s most famous course. Walk in the footsteps of golf’s greats and experience a player’s eye view of the fabled links.
Tours take place at 11am and 2pm starting at the St Andrews Links Golf Shop behind the 18th green of the Old Course.
- Email: linkstrust@standrews.org.uk
- St Andrews Links Trust Tel: 00441334 466666
- Extended walk on Sundays: walk@standrews.org.uk
St Andrews Golf Co.
Handcrafted clubs using refined methods –and equipment– employed by the most famous club makers from the Home of Golf. They also provide tours of the workshop.
St Andrews Golf Co. still makes a range of hickory and repair components
Phone:
+44 1334 840860
Hours:
Mon-Friday 9:00 till 17:00
As the oldest continuously operating golf equipment designer and builder in the world,
St Andrews Golf Company is widely recognized by historians and collectors for its expertise in identifying, restoring, and producing anew the most authentic works invented by golf’s legendary forefathers.
Located opposite the clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews, Scotland.
The museum, which opened in 1990, documents the history of golf from Medieval times to the present, including the men’s and women’s games, British and international, both professional and amateur.
Exhibits include historic equipment, memorabilia and art work, documentation, the history of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, and the rules and terminology of the game.
The museum is open to the public seven days a week throughout the year.
The Scores
St Andrews KY16 9
Tel: 01334 460046
St Andrew’s Castle and Visitor Centre
Is located on a rocky promontory overlooking a small beach called Castle Sands at the North Sea.
It was founded around 1200 and was the official residence of Scotland’s leading bishop (and later archbishop) throughout the Middle Ages.
Its scale demonstrated the power and wealth of the bishops, and it was the setting for many important events which determined the course of Scottish history.
The Scores
St Andrews KY16 9AR
01334 477196
Opening times:
| Month | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April – 30 September | Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun | 9.30 am to 5.30 pm |
| 1 October – 31 March | Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun | 9.30 am to 4.30 pm |
| St Andrews Cathedral.The ruins of this cathedral are all that’s left of one of Britain’s most magnificent medieval buildings. You can appreciate the scale and majesty of the edifice from the small sections that remain standing. Although founded in 1160, it was not consecrated until 1318 Read more… The Pends St Andrews KY16 9QLHours: Apr-Sep 9.30am-17.30pm Oct-Mar until -16.30pm
The museum tells the story of the historic city of St Andrews from early mediaeval times, through the centuries and the Victorian era to the present day. There is also a lively series of temporary exhibitions and a regular programme of talks, concerts and children’s workshops. Nestled on St Andrews’ dramatic north facing cliffs, with stunning views of the famous west sands and St Andrews Bay, St Andrews Aquarium boasts one of the finest coastal locations in the historic town. Mar-Oct 10am-18.00pm, New Picture House Cinema St.Andrews Is an independent cinema based in St Andrews, Scotland. All screens are equipped with the latest digital projection, full Dolby Surround sound and are enabled with RealD 3D – Latest digital projection – Full Dolby Surround sound A wee gem in the heart of the town, providing a lovely environment to wander and sit in the sun on the lawns and amongst the collections of trees, shrubs and plants. A haven of peace, and a good place to study quietly too when the weather is warm. Deserves far more notice than it gets. Discover its delights before… Gateway Galleries St.Andrews Artefacts from the University’s archives are always on show, there is an ever-changing programme of temporary exhibitions, a video film and multi-media screens provide an introduction to the town, and there is a cafe-bistro (daytime only). St.Andrews Preservation Trust Museum An amazing little museum in St Andrews, with so much interesting information specifically about the everyday life of the town through the ages. Free Admission! The Bell Pettigrew Museum is the University’s zoology museum. It is a rare survival of a Victorian teaching museum, and wonderfully atmospheric. The Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre is situated in the East Neuk of Fife near Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8QD Beach Sports St Andrews West Sands is a popular location for sports including:
and more, with these activities normally taking place with a designated zone towards the beach’s northern end. A network of cycling routes has been established both within St Andrews and across the whole of Fife, as part of the Kingdom of Fife Cycleways network. Guided Walking Tours St Andrews offers a good selection, including:
Putting Right beside the world-famous Old Course sits “The Himalayas” putting green (normally open April to September) where anyone and everyone can enjoy the experience of St Andrews golf, with absolutely no experience needed! St.Andrews Farmers Market Skydiving Just five miles’ drive from St Andrews, SkyDive St Andrews offers everything from beginner tandem jumps to accelerated free-fall lessons. Surfing You’ll often see enthusiastic local surfers at East Sands – feel free to join them! Swimming Swimming from all of the town’s beach areas is generally safe, with gently-sloping sands running out to sea, but even we wouldn’t claim that the North Sea is warm! You might also consider East Sands Leisure Centre, with its indoor pool, flume and fun aqua inflatable, together with steam room, spa bath, gym, squash court and cafe. Walking There’s a huge choice of local walks, and we’re planning to add a special walking section to this site in the near future. In the meantime, we recommend the Fife Coastal Path, a great way to experience Fife’s beautiful beaches and villages: start in St Andrews and walk north towards the Tay Bridges to experience the forests, beaches and wildlife of Tentsmuir, or head south in the direction of the East Neuk to enjoy fresh seafood and local art. Routes and maps for over 20 local walks are listed on the excellent (if somewhat misleadingly-titled) WalkHighlands website. If you’d like to stay within the town, an excellent St Andrews Walks booklet can be downloaded. Isle of may ferry near Anstruther Climb aboard the May Princess and experience a most memorable trip to the Isle of May. The May Princess carries 100 passengers and is equipped with on-board snack bar and toilets and operates from 29th March until September 30th each year. Anstruther Pleasure Cruises Ltd, Water Sports Choose from a host of exciting activities offered by Blown Away (at West Sands in St Andrews), or – just round the coast – East Neuk Outdoors and Elie Watersports provide every imaginable water-based pursuit including windsurfing, dinghy sailing, canoeing, pedal boats, water-skiing and more! Scottish Off-Road Driving Centre Scotland’s most dramatic hilltop 4×4 driving site with lots of deep water, treacherous bogs full of deep sticky glutinous mud and steep hair raising descents to test your nerve on! Loch Leven Castle Kinross KY13 8UF 01577862670 During 1st April to 30 September the boat runs every day from 9.30am to last outward sailing at 4.30pm. In October the boat runs every day from 9.30am to last outward sailing at 3.30pm. RestaurantsThe Balaka, Bangladeshi dining The Balaka has been part of this small town for the longest period of time, and it shows. Here, heritage and experience intertwine to provide unique culinary satisfaction. Balgove Larder Located in old, converted barn filled with wooden crates, timber beams and a fire pit, the building brims with a rustic charm which entirely complements its old-fashioned, rural surroundings. The Balgove Larder’s emphasis is on a farm-to-table approach to food, with all of its produce being locally sourced – bread is freshly baked on site and the meat is reared on the farm itself. The café is open year round and serves delicious breakfasts and a range of light lunches, such as sandwiches and soups, while the Steak Barn restaurant is open between April and October and offers hearty meals made with meat from its own butchery. Balgove Larder, Balgove Farmhouse, Strathtyrum Farm, St Andrews, Fife, UK, The Jigger Inn The Jigger Inn perfectly combines this aspect of the town’s culture with luxurious dining – the restaurant is located inside a 19th century station master’s lodge next to the Old Course, a renowned golf course which stretches along the St Andrews coastline. The menu offers a range of international, home cooked options, from grilled rib eye steak to an aromatic Thai green curry, and a wide selection of drinks, including the Inn’s very own brewed beer. The Jigger Inn, Old Station Road, St Andrews, Fife, UK, +44 1334 474371 Little Italy St Andrews’ Little Italy has all of the character and charm of an authentic, small town Italian restaurant. The interior is small and intimate, with red walls and tall candles placed in old wine bottles at each table creating a warm, cosy atmosphere. Red and white chequered tablecloths, framed vintage posters and black and white photographs, and a vibrant red and green ceiling add to the authentic Italian feel. This authenticity carries over to its menu: pizzas are served with stretched, crisp bases and piled generously with traditional tomato sauce, mozzarella, and a range of toppings, while the pasta dishes are an explosion of rich sauces, spices and fresh herbs. Little Italy, 2 Logies Lane, St Andrews, Fife, UK, +44 1334 479299 The Seafood Restaurant The Seafood Restaurant is perhaps St Andrews’ most dramatic and picturesque eatery. Located on the edge of a high bank with the sea foaming just below, the restaurant affords spectacular views of the Scottish coast line thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows which make up its four walls. The interior is fresh and modern, with white tablecloths and contemporary furniture providing a calming contrast to the awe-inspiring views outside. For seafood enthusiasts, the menu is a treasure trove: lobster is grilled with garlic butter and served with sautéed potatoes and samphire, Shetland Isle mussels are steamed in local St Andrews beer, and scallops are fried with broccoli, honey and black pudding crumbs for a mouthwatering, fresh approach to seafood. The Seafood Restaurant, Bruce Embankment, St Andrews, Fife, UK, + 44 1334 479475 Tailend Restaurant and Fish Bar A cross between a traditional British chippie and contemporary dining, Tailend Restaurant and Fish Bar provides all the satisfaction and tastiness of classic fish and chips, with the freshness and quality of a coastal restaurant. All of their dishes, from their haddock supper – served battered, breaded or lightly fried with home made pesto – to their char-grilled garlic and chilli king prawn skewers are made fresh to order, and the specials board regularly features seasonal fresh fish sourced locally. The restaurant also has on offer a wide selection of wines and locally brewed beers to complement the dishes, making Tailend Restaurant and Fish Bar the perfect spot for a relaxed evening out with friends. Tailend Restaurant and Fish Bar, 130 Market Street, St Andrews, Fife, UK, Things to do around St.Andrews | ||