St Andrews: Home of Golf

St Andrews is the home of golf – where the game was invented, where the Old Course has been played for centuries, where golfers make pilgrimage to the sport’s spiritual home. But beyond the golf, St Andrews is a medieval town with university heritage, beautiful beaches, and unexpected charms. From the Royal and Ancient clubhouse to the West Sands beach, from medieval cathedral to student atmosphere, St Andrews offers a complete Scottish experience.

The Golf

The Old Course

The Old Course at St Andrews is the world’s most famous golf course – the course against which all others are measured.

What makes it special:

• Age – Golf has been played here since the 15th century
• The Royal and Ancient – Golf’s governing body is based here
• The layout – Unique design with shared fairways and double greens
• The history – Every great golfer has played here

Playing the Old Course:

• Advance booking – The ballot system for advance tee times is competitive
• Walk-up availability – Possible for solo golfers, but no guarantee
• Cost – Expensive, but this is golf’s holy grail

If you can’t play: Walking the course is possible (outside competition days). Watching play is free and atmospheric.

Other Courses

St Andrews has six other courses in addition to the Old Course:

The New Course – Opened 1895, equally challenging but less famous.

The Jubilee Course – Championship course with spectacular sea views.

The Castle Course – Modern links course (opened 2008) with dramatic coastal location.

Others – Eden, Strathtyrum, and Balgove (9-hole beginner course).

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club

The clubhouse is private (no public access), but the building is visible from the Old Course. This is golf’s governing body outside America.

Medieval St Andrews

St Andrews Cathedral

Once Scotland’s largest cathedral, now impressive ruins. Founded 1160, it was the seat of Scotland’s senior archbishop.

What you’ll see:

• The ruins – Impressive scale, showing former glory
• St Rule’s Tower – Climb for spectacular views
• The cemetery – Historic graves

Why it matters: St Andrews was Scotland’s religious capital before Reformation. The cathedral’s size shows the city’s medieval importance.

St Andrews Castle

Ruined castle on dramatic cliff top overlooking the sea. Once home of Scotland’s bishops, later besieged and destroyed during Reformation conflicts.

What makes it special: The location – on cliffs with sea views, the castle is dramatically sited.

What you’ll see:

• The castle ruins – Including the infamous “bottle dungeon” (prison)
• The mine and counter-mine – Tunnels dug during siege
• Sea views – Spectacular from castle walls

Medieval Streets

St Andrews’ street layout is medieval – narrow closes and wynds (alleys) leading off main streets.

South Street – The most atmospheric medieval street.

Market Street – Traditional market location.

The Beaches

West Sands

St Andrews’ most famous beach – the one from Chariots of Fire (though the famous scene was filmed here, the training beaches were elsewhere).

What makes it special:

• Length – Over 2 miles of sandy beach
• Views – Backed by sand dunes and golf courses
• Accessibility – Easy walk from town centre

What to do: Beach walks, watching golfers, occasional swimming (brave souls in summer).

East Sands

Smaller beach on eastern side of town, with harbour views.

Castle Sands

Beach below St Andrews Castle – dramatic setting with castle ruins above.

The University

Scotland’s First University

St Andrews University (founded 1413) is Scotland’s oldest and one of Britain’s most ancient universities.

What you’ll see:

• St Salvator’s College – Beautiful college quad
• St Mary’s College – Historic theological college
• University buildings – Scattered throughout town

Why it matters: The university gives St Andrews a lively, intellectual atmosphere that balances the golf tradition.

Royal connections: Prince William and Catherine met here as students.

Planning Your Visit

Getting There

By train: Leuchars Station is on the Fife Circle line – 1 hour 15 from Edinburgh. Bus from Leuchars to St Andrews (10 minutes).

By car: A91 from Edinburgh. Parking in town is challenging – arrive early or use peripheral car parks.

By bus: Regular services from Edinburgh (Stagecoach) and other Fife towns.

Best Time

Spring: Good weather, golf season beginning, fewer crowds than summer.

Summer: Peak season – best weather but busy, especially for golf.

Autumn: Spectacular colours, good golf weather, fewer crowds.

Winter: Quieter, though golf weather can be challenging. Winter light is atmospheric.

Duration

Golf visit: Allow full day for 18 holes, plus exploring town.

Non-golf visit: 1 day for cathedral, castle, beaches, and town exploration.

St Andrews break: Use as base for exploring Fife or wider east coast.

Practical Tips

For Golfers

Book well ahead – The Old Course ballot is competitive, months in advance.

Consider other courses – The other St Andrews courses are excellent and easier to book.

Walking is possible – The Old Course allows walking outside competition days.

For Non-Golfers

Climb St Rule’s Tower – Views are spectacular.

Visit cathedral and castle – Both atmospheric and historic.

Walk the beaches – West Sands is beautiful whatever your golf interest.

For Everyone

Explore the closes – Medieval alleys show town’s historic character.

Walk around town – St Andrews is compact and rewards exploration on foot.

Combine with Fife – Other Fife attractions (Falkland Palace, fishing villages) are accessible.

Beyond St Andrews

Fife Villages

St Andrews is gateway to Fife’s charming villages:

Anstruther – Fishing village with excellent fish and chips.

Pittenweem – Another fishing village with character.

Crail – Historic fishing harbour.

Falkland Palace

Royal palace in Fife (about 20 miles from St Andrews) – beautifully preserved Renaissance palace.

Dundee

About 15 miles north, Dundee has V&A Dundee (design museum) and historic centre.

The St Andrews Story

What makes St Andrews special is the combination of medieval heritage and golf tradition. This isn’t just a golf town – it’s a place where Scotland’s religious, educational, and sporting histories intersect.

The cathedral ruins show St Andrews’ medieval importance. The university shows its intellectual tradition. The golf courses show how a medieval pastime became a global phenomenon. These elements coexist in a compact, walkable town.

Final Thoughts

St Andrews delivers whether you’re a golfer or not. The golf is world-class (obviously), but the medieval heritage, university atmosphere, and beautiful beaches make St Andrews worth visiting even if you never swing a club.

The Old Course is special – golf’s holy grail. But St Andrews is more than one course – it’s a complete town with depth and character.

Come for the golf, stay for the town, and leave understanding why St Andrews has attracted visitors for centuries. This isn’t just about sport – it’s about experiencing Scotland at its most distinctive.