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St. Andrews

St Andrews St Andrews has a special place in Scottish history and legend. It takes its name from the saint whose relics were brought to the town. It played a important role in Scotland’s affairs, its cathedral was the largest building in Scotland and the centre of the country’s religious life. It has the oldest University in Scotland (where Prince William is currently studying) and of course has been a pilgrimage to golfers wishing to play on the Links where golf was first played. The historic town is easily and best explored on foot where the shops, many interesting buildings, museums, bars and restaurants are all easily accessible.

Local Places of Interest and Activities

St.Andrews Cathedral — Enjoy the dramatic setting of the ruins. The Cathedral was destroyed by a mob roused by the preaching of John Knox in the town during the Reformation - and the sense of history which attaches to what was once one of the most important religious sites in Europe. Owing to the presence of the relics of St Andrew, it was a place of pilgrimage for many thousands during the medieval period. The view from the top of St Rule's Tower is breathtaking, and the visitor centre contains a number of artifacts and helps to set the history of the site into context. Golfers can pay a visit to the grave of Old Tom Morris and his son young Tom, who are buried in the Cathedral Grounds.

Local Coastal Villages — Visit the quaint coastal fishing villages and Royal Burgh’s of Crail, Anstruther and Pittenweem with their distinctive buildings and picturesque harbours. The area was notorious for smuggling with wine, tobacco, cloth and sugar being smuggled in, and linen and coal smuggled out. The East Neuk was the capital of the Scottish Herring industry, until the shoals deserted the Forth during the Second World War. Today the boats which sail out from Crail and Anstruther mainly bring in shellfish, while Pittenweem remains the centre of the areas fishing industry where early in the morning the catches are sold at the new Fish Market. Fife Coastal Path — You may enjoy walking a stretch of the Fife Coastal Path from Crail to St.Monans. Visit the many picturesque towns with their narrow cobbled lanes leading to picturesque harbors.

Kellie Castle & Garden — Located near Anstruther a 20mins drive from St.Andrews, it contains magnificent plaster ceilings, painted panelling and furniture. The Gardens contain a fine layout of the organic walled garden is 17th-century with late Victorian additions and contains a fine collection of old-fashioned roses, fruit trees and herbaceous plants. Display in summer-house on history of walled garden.

Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther — This award-winning National Museum tells the story of the Scottish fishing industry from the earliest times to the present. With many model and actual boats, fishing gear, photographs, paintings and tableaux on display, as well as a new 'Zulu' gallery just open, a visit to the Museum makes for worthwhile visit.

St.Andrews Shopping — St Andrews is a town to explore and is refreshingly free of national outlets and chain stores. Instead, the town centre offers an excellent range of independent, family-run shops and businesses, where you are guaranteed to find a unique range of goods matched by personal service. Shopping in St Andrews is always a rewarding experience. The main shopping areas concentrated in Market Street and South Street, with Bell Street and Church Street connecting the two principal streets. There are Golf Stores throughout the town with the main stores of Auchterlonies, Old Tom Morris and Golf Scotland all located close to the 18th Green of the Old Course.

Falkland Palace — Falkland has been a royal palace since the days of the Stewarts. King James IV completed the main structure and King James V also added to the buildings there, transforming it into a sophisticated Renaissance palace. He was also responsible for adding the royal tennis court in 1539, which has survived to this day. James V died at Falkland Palace on December 14, 1542. His daughter, Mary Queen of Scots was a frequent visitor, enjoying the peace and tranquility of Falkland, away from the intrigues and politics of Edinburgh.

St.Andrews Castle — The Castle was the former Bishops' Palace, the residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews. The first castle on this site probably dates from around 1200. Over the centuries, the Castle has witnessed many conflicts and deeds of infamy, among them the martyrdom of George Wishart and the murder of Cardinal Beaton. It was also besieged many times. Eventually destroyed during the Reformation, the Castle is now in ruins. A modern visitor centre houses exhibits about the Castle, and visitors can also explore the mines and the infamous bottle dungeon.

Carnoustie

Carnoustie has long held a reputation throughout the world as one of the great golfing locations. Ever since the British Open was first played at Carnoustie in 1931, the course has represented a magnetic challenge for golfers of all standards. The Open Championship has been contested over the Carnoustie course on five previous occasions. The return of the championship in 1999 brought an end to the Open's twenty-four year absence from the Carnoustie Links. Carnoustie has for many years been a popular holiday town with views across the Tay estuary to the Kingdom of Fife. Fetes and special events are featured throughout the summer, with Carnoustie Gala week being the high point.

Local Places of Interest and Activities

Glamis Castle — The family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and has been a royal residence since 1372. It was the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the birthplace of Her Royal Highness The Princess Margaret and the legendary setting of Shakespeare's play "Macbeth". Though the Castle is open to visitors it remains a family home, lived in and loved by the Strathmore family. It has Magnificent rooms on view with a wide range of historic paintings, furniture, porcelain and tapestries. (1 hour drive from St.Andrews)

Arbroath Abbey — Arbroath Abbey is situated in the centre of Arbroath. Founded in 1178 by William the Lion and dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury, it was from here that the famous Declaration of Arbroath, asserting Scottish Independences, was issued in 1320. Important remains of the church survive; these include one of the most complete examples of an abbot's residence.

Discovery Point — Follow in the footsteps of Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton to the south Pole at Discovery Point, the award-winning attraction and museum that tells the story of the RRS Discovery. The exhibitions are a mix of state of the art audio-visual and computer based multimedia, alongside displays of actual artefacts that belonged to Scott and the brave crew who sailed with him.

Broughty Ferry — Between Carnoustie and Dundee is the delightful seaside suburb of Broughty Ferry . Once the “richest square mile in Europe”, this was were the wealthy jute barons of Dundee built their mansions. The town was originally a cluster of fisherman’s cottages around the harbour whichis overlooked by Broughty Castle. Today the castle is a fascinating museum.

Tours to take of the Surrounding Area

House of Dun — This Georgian house overlooking the Montrose Basin, designed and built by William Adam in 1730 for David Erskine, Lord Dun. Superb contemporary plasterwork by Joseph Enzer. Lady Augusta Kennedy-Erskine was the daughter of William IV and Mrs Jordan, and the house contains royal mementos of that period and many examples of Lady Augusta’s woolwork and embroidery. Family collection of portraits, furniture and porcelain.

Scone Palace — Only 30 minutes from Dundee, Scone Palace is the one-time crowning place of Scottish Kings, and home of the Earls of Mansfield. Palace, magnifcent collections of objets d'art, hundred acres of garden with woodland walks, shops, restaurants, unique Murray Star maze and pinetum.