The Town
of St. Andrews, Scotland

St. Andrews is probably eastern Scotland's most beautiful jewel. Replete with history and said to be the resting place of the relics of St. Andrew, this small town can rightly claim to be the center of the nation's educational and religious pasts.

The historical glories of St. Andrews have created a modern and vibrant town economically and culturally indebted to its past. Dating mainly from the 16th century, St. Andrews Castle is situated 800 yards east of the Links on a rock overlooking the North Sea. Its chequered history tells of much Scottish building, English capture and dismantling and Scottish recapture and rebuilding. Although its importance diminished after the Reformation, it remains one of Scotland's most significant buildings.

Beyond the castle are the ancient remains of the cathedral, which is the largest religious building ever constructed in Scotland. Founded by Arnold, Abbot of Kelso in 1160, this cruciform church witnessed the most profound developments of the Scottish Reformation and remains among the most photogenic of Scotland's churches.

Dating form Pope Benedict XIII's reign in the 15th century, St. Andrews University is the oldest educational establishment in the country. Despite undergoing a relative decline after the 1707 Act of Union, the university rallied during the commercial heyday of the 19th century and now houses over 4000 students in a centre of international repute.

Just across the road from the Royal & Ancient Clubhouse is the British Golf Museum, whose hands-on, modern facilities (it was built in 1990) bring the game alive in award-winning surroundings and informative exhibits.

Castle Street leads into Market Street whose cobbles support the Lammas Market, the oldest surviving medieval market in Scotland, held each year on the second Monday and Tuesday in August. St. Andrews is an attractive fishing port and a favourite beach resort. Its size and layout of streets and wynds make it an accessible town to explore and discover that golf is only part of its rich tapestry.

Getting to St. Andrews, Scotland

St Andrews Links is on the North East corner of the Fife region in Scotland.

By Car

From Edinburgh: Take the A90 over the Forth bridge (toll bridge) which connects to the M90. Continue north until junction 7 and take the A91 following the signs to St Andrews. Journey time is approximately one hour.

From Glasgow: Take the M8 towards Edinburgh, and turn onto the A80 seven miles outside Glasgow. Continue on the M80 over the Kincardine Bridge which leads to the M90 (junction 6). Head north on the M90 until junction 7. Take the A91 and follow signs to St Andrews. Journey time is approximately one and a half hours.

Airports at Glasgow and Edinburgh offer plenty of connections both nationally and internationally. Car Hire is available from the major firms at both airports and in the city centres.

By Train

St Andrews does not have its own train station. Instead visitors should get off at Leuchars station and get into St Andrews either by bus or taxi. The journey time is approximately 10 minutes.