The acclaimed West Sands, one of the finest beaches in Britain, is separated from the golf links by sheltering dunes. Its golden sands seem to stretch forever to the hills on the northern horizon, whilst the southward view, with the spires of St Andrews providing a stunning backdrop, famously featured in the opening sequence of the Oscar-winning film ‘Chariots of Fire’. Kite fliers and kite surfers often take advantage of the open spaces at the north end of the beach, which overlooks the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve – home to birds and seals.

The East Sands, meanwhile, lies a little closer to the town centre, next to the harbour, and boasts its own modern leisure centre with swimming pools and fitness facilities. It is a beach which has always been popular with families, and is also home to the St Andrews Sailing Club. The East Sands are overlooked by the rocky Kinkell Braes, which are traversed by the Fife Coastal Path, an exhilarating route for walkers and birdwatchers.

St Andrews is a place which offers many rewards for those willing to take a few steps off the beaten tourist track. Take time to wander the cobbled streets, peek through archways and explore the hidden delights of this ancient town. Around almost every corner you will find entrancing alleyways (typically called ‘wynds’ or ‘closes’), quiet nooks and seaside vistas.

The Lade Braes Walk is a favourite with locals: bounded by old stone walls, sun-dappled trees and the Kinness Burn, it runs from east to west through the town, sheltering birds and wildlife. The path also provides glimpses into the town’s treasured Botanic Garden, displaying a remarkable range of plants and trees in a peaceful enclave.

If you prefer to travel on wheels, a network of safe cycling routes has been established throughout the town as part of the Kingdom of Fife Cycle Ways network. Bikes can be hired locally, allowing the more energetic to explore the beautiful coast and countryside of East Fife.

Craigtoun Country Park

Just two miles from the centre of St. Andrews, Craigtoun Country Park offers a miniature railway, boating pond, bowling and putting greens, crazy golf, a children’s play area and more – all set within the attractive surroundings of tree, shrub and grass areas. Other facilities include a shop, café, and several toilet blocks.

Botanic Gardens
Growing over 8000 varieties of plants, trees and herbs, St Andrews Botanic Garden is a tranquil place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Fife Coastal Path
Featuring around 150km of coastal trails for walkers of all abilities and ages, traversing part of the Fife Coastal Path is a great way to experience Fife’s beautiful beaches and villages.

From those early days, religion was a strong influence in the development of St Andrews. Celtic monks built the church of St Mary on the Rock, the ruins of which still stand near the harbour, and the imposing St Rule’s Tower is all that remains of the first church of the Augustinian priory in St Andrews.

The great Cathedral, constructed in 1160, was for seven centuries the largest building in Scotland. Its majesty helped to establish St Andrews as the centre of the country’s religious life, which in turn helped the town to become hugely influential in Scottish political circles.

Medieval St Andrews had two friaries: one founded by the Dominicans (Blackfriars), whose ruined chapel still remains, and later another for the Franciscans (Greyfriars) for whom the only mark left on the town is a street name.

Religion was also important in the story of St Andrews Castle. The original castle was built sometime around the year 1200 A.D. and served as both fortress and residential palace for the Bishops and Archbishops of St Andrews. It later housed John Knox and other Protestant reformers.

The 16th Century was the most turbulent period in the history of St Andrews. The (Catholic) Archbishop of St Andrews, Cardinal David Beaton, was the leader of the anti-Protestant movement within the Scottish church and had orchestrated the trials and executions of several “heretics”. When Beaton arranged for the trial and burning at the stake of leading Protestant George Wishart in 1546, the town became an even more volatile place. Before long, Beaton too was dead – a victim of an assassination.

The Calvinist John Knox came to live and preach in the town, but was captured from St Andrews Castle by French Catholic forces in 1549 and enslaved. When Knox returned in 1559, he preached a fiery sermon in Holy Trinity Church which reputedly sparked off a riot amongst the congregation. St Andrews Cathedral was sacked by Knox’s followers, and this effectively signalled the end of the town as a dominant religious force in Scotland.

St Andrews is scattered with reminders of these bloody times. Martyrs’ Monument, on The Scores, commemorates the Protestant reformers who died, and markings on the streets indicate where executions took place.

Even after the end of the tumultuous Reformation, St Andrews was unable to rest in peace. Men and women accused of witchcraft were thrown into the sea below The Scores. If they drowned in “Witch Lake” they were declared innocent; if they swam to shore, they were deemed guilty, seized and burned at the stake at nearby Bow Butts.

See also: the History page for details on visiting the St Andrews Castle, Cathedral and Museum.

Visitors can enter the beautiful quadrangles of two of the University’s original colleges – St Mary’s on South Street (endowed in 1538) and St Salvator’s on North Street (1450). In the peaceful enclave of St Mary’s, a thorn tree allegedly planted by Mary Queen of Scots in 1565 still survives.

Across the town, buildings old and new are occupied by the thriving University, which has grown and developed with the town and is comfortably integrated within its medieval surroundings. Its tradition of academic excellence continues to attract scholars of international repute and students from all over the world.

St Andrews University has many claims to fame – the first Scottish university to admit women undergraduates (1892), the first designated students’ union in Britain (1888), the first marine laboratory (1884) – and amongst its former students are luminaries such as John Wilson, inventor of logarithms; James Wilson, one of the fathers of the American Constitution; Sir James Black, Nobel Prize winner; Fay Weldon, author; and Hazel Irvine, sports commentator.

At almost 600 years old, St Andrews University still draws heavily on its traditions and medieval origins, but it is also a modern, cosmopolitan place of learning. Its facilities for cutting-edge science are among the best in the world.  Whether in sea mammal research or optoelectronics, psychology or astrophysics, molecular biology or software engineering, or in the arts and humanities, St Andrews University continues to represent uncompromising academic excellence.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from home and abroad are attracted here by the University’s flexible degree structure, small group teaching and modern amenities. Over 50% of students live in University accommodation, and many lifelong friendships are made here: there is a network of alumni clubs throughout the UK and the world.

The University is steeped in tradition. The annual Kate Kennedy Procession through the streets of the town attracts large crowds, whilst another long-standing custom is undertaken on a Sunday after chapel, when students, resplendent in their vivid red gowns, embark on their traditional walk along the pier.

St Andrews University has changed, and grown, over the last six centuries, but one thing that has remained constant is the way in which it is integrated into the local community. Its buildings contribute greatly to the attractiveness of the town, and its students add their liveliness and vigour to that of the townspeople. In short, the University remains a vital constituent of the unique blend that is modern-day St Andrews.

See also: the History page for more information about the Museum of the University of St Andrews (MUSA).

Over the centuries, the popularity of golf grew, and in 1754, 22 ‘noblemen and gentlemen of the Kingdom of Fife’ formed themselves into the Society of St Andrews Golfers. Eighty years later, this Society was to evolve into the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, but not before it had established such precedents as standardising a round of golf as 18 holes: what we now know as the ‘Old Course’ originally had 22 holes!

Supported by royal patronage, the Royal and Ancient acquired status and prestige. Its famous clubhouse was built in 1854 and gradually it became regarded as the premier club in the world. In 1897, with golf booming in popularity across Britain and overseas, the R&A published the first ‘Rules of Golf’ and since that time has been recognised as the sport’s ruling body throughout nearly the entire world. It took over the management of The Open Championship in 1919, and The Open has now been held at St Andrews no fewer than 27 times. Despite its high public profile, the R&A remains a private members’ club to this day.

Today, St Andrews is recognised across the globe as the ‘Home of Golf’. Playing here, at the spiritual heartland of the sport, is, for many golfers, the ultimate ambition. And it is a dream that comes true for many thousands of players each year, because golf at St Andrews has never been reserved for the rich and famous, and remains true to its Scottish roots as a game for all.

St Andrews Links Trust

Despite their hallowed reputation, the links here are public golf courses, open to anyone. An Act of Parliament in 1974 created the St Andrews Links Trust to preserve and enhance these public golfing rights. The Trust currently operates six courses on the links – the world-renowned Old Course, the New Course (established in 1895), the Jubilee (1897), the Eden (1914), the Strathtyrum (1993) and the nine-hole Balgove. A seventh – The Castle Course – has been built in a panoramic coastal setting to the south of the town.

Find about about the various ways to book a round of golf on the Old Course.

If these courses are not enough, St Andrews also boasts four others of the highest quality: the challenging Duke’s Course which lies just inland of the town, the spectacular Kittocks and Torrance Courses at the Fairmont St Andrews, and the stunning Kingsbarns Golf Links.

Each of these venues has a superb clubhouse and other golfing amenities. They all welcome visiting players throughout the year, allowing them to experience for themselves the unique magic and tradition of playing at St Andrews. Nowhere else on earth can you experience Six Centuries of Golf ™.

See also the History page for information on the British Golf Museum.

The famous Byre Theatre – now housed in an award-winning modern building – is located in the town centre, and offers a programme of contemporary and classical theatre, together with all types of musical performances, throughout the year. It takes its name from its origins as an amateur theatre set up in a cowshed in the 1930s! The Byre’s bar opens its stage to live performers almost every night, with weekly jazz evenings, comedy nights and open mic opportunities.

Fife Contemporary Art & Craft

Fife Contemporary Art & Craft is an agency set up to create opportunities for the people of Fife to experience quality exhibitions and take part in ambitious projects by local, national and international artists and makers. They are run from an office in St Andrews Town Hall, and have a varied programme of events all over Fife, as well as a permanent display and retail stand at the Byre Theatre.

You’re also likely to hear music elsewhere in the town, from street buskers, outdoor summer concerts, or folk, jazz and rock sessions in the town’s pubs. For many, though, the finest local music comes from the calling seabirds, backed by the ever-present beat of the waves on the shore.

The first ‘town’ proper was concentrated around the harbour and cathedral areas, and extended as far inland as the present line of North and South Castle Street. Greater prosperity, a rising population and the growing importance of St Andrews as an ecclesiastical, academic and trading centre all contributed to the town’s expansion during the middle ages. Development took place along four parallel main streets – South Street, Market Street, North Street and Swallowgait (now known as The Scores), and a city wall was built, with strategically-located ‘ports’ (gates) controlling the movement of goods and people. The West Port at the end of South Street is Scotland’s best surviving example of a fortified gate.

The original medieval street layout has been retained to this day, contributing immensely to the character of St Andrews. Over the last few centuries, residential developments have stretched the town’s boundaries to the south and west but the historic core remains much as it would have looked four-hundred years ago. Today’s residents guard the town’s past jealously, and they are proud to call themselves St Andreans.

Be sure to ask about guided walks and tours, to provide you with a local expert’s insight into the town’s history and to point out features that you might have missed on your own.

St Andrews Cathedral

The remains of St Andrews Cathedral are impressive enough, but they can only hint at the vast grandeur of what was once the largest cathedral in Scotland. A ticket to the cathedral’s museum offers the chance to view a collection of medieval sculptures from the site and also includes entry to St Rule’s Tower. A climb to the top of this prominent structure rewards visitors with magnificent vistas of St Andrews and the surrounding Fife countryside.

St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle sits close by, by turns a fortress, palace and prison. It too is largely ruined, battered from 400 years of wars and sieges, but remains a fascinating visit. Children will love the visitor’s centre, with its beautifully illustrated history of those who lived – and died – in the castle. The Castle’s infamous “bottle dungeon” and the underground mine and countermine are some of very few remaining examples of medieval siege techniques, but may not be suitable for the faint-hearted!

St Andrews Museum

Another “castle” – this one in Kinburn Park – is home to St Andrews Museum, which offers a child-friendly A-Z exhibition exploring St Andrews’ heritage.  It also hosts a regular programme of temporary exhibitions, as well as regular music recitals.

Museum of the University of St Andrews

The newest museum on the St Andrews scene, the Museum of the University of St Andrews offers four galleries about the long history of St Andrews University, notable alumni, its contributions to art and science, and a glimpse into a the everyday life of St Andrews University students during various eras. A trip upstairs to enjoy panoramic views of the West Sands is also well worthwhile.

St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum

For further glimpses of days gone by, don’t miss the museum operated by St Andrews Preservation Trust: housed in a charming 17th Century house in North Street, it displays recreations of old St Andrews shops and buildings and also boasts a lovely sheltered garden.

British Golf Museum

No golf lover should miss visiting the British Golf Museum, situated just a long putt away from the 18th Green of the Old Course. Featuring a detailed history of the development of the game and the equipment, a footage archive, and substantial quantities of golfing memorabilia, children will most enjoy the final room, which features interactive displays and the chance to try putting with different clubs and balls from down the ages.

St Andrews Aquarium

The St Andrews Aquarium is appropriately situated overlooking the West Sands.  Here, seals, piranhas, seahorses, lion fish and many other species will vie for your attention, and children may be particularly interested in the twice daily seal feeding frolics.