Interested in taking a day trip to St Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf? Your 'favourite' history buff and UK traveler has rounded up my top things to do in St Andrews on a day trip. Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Post updated, January, 2024 Interested in taking a day trip to St Andrews from Edinburgh?Only 30 miles north of Edinburgh, Stunningly historic St Andrews is a must-see on a trip to Scotland. And you'll get a lot of impressive, 'tour-able' destinations under your belt in a fairly quick and manageable day trip. St Andrews is the birthplace of, and now a shrine to, the game of golf, invented here in the 18th century. The historic town is home to the University of the same name - the third-oldest in the English-speaking world. The charming university town most recently played host to the romance of Will & Kate (as depicted on the most recent season of The Crown), who met during their early years as undergraduates at St Andrews. St Andrews Cathedral, now a ruin, was the largest in Scotland before its destruction. Climb the stunning St Rules Tower for incredible views of St Andrews and the surrounding area. Interested? I'll walk you through some of the best attractions in St Andrews, as you plan your trip. Check out the top 10 tourist mistakes in Scotland you don't want to make! FAQ: Is St Andrews, Scotland worth visiting?Absolutely. Even if you aren't a golf lover, the history and mystery of St Andrews has seen it welcoming visitors for thousands of years. It's a quaint little town and certainly worth a visit during your trip to Scotland. FAQ: How do you get to St Andrews from Edinburgh?Getting to St Andrews from Edinburgh on public transport is easy, if not very straight-forward. First, hop on the train at Edinburgh Waverley and you’ll be off the train in St Andrews in approximately an hour, including just a few stops. The train stops at Leuchars (for St Andrews) Rail Station. From there, you’ll need to take a short drive in a bus or a cab to St Andrews. Don't be alarmed when you get off the train in the middle of a suburban neighborhood and a field. The bulk of the passengers will also be going to the bus station, so you won't get lost. We opted for a cab back to the train station on our way home, so that we didn't have to walk all the way back to catch the bus in St Andrews, just given where we ended up at the end of the day. FAQ: Is one day enough time in St Andrews?Yes. Enchanting as it is, St Andrews is a fairly small town. You can easily see the tourist sights you've come to see in one day, unless you're a huge golf fan, in which case it's probably worth an overnight stay. Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews: |
History of St Andrews Cathedral
Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Visit St Andrews Castle
For those of us too afraid to climb the tower at St Andrews Cathedral, the view from the top of the smaller and more open Castle turrets are great as well.
History of St Andrews Castle
The Castle eventually landed in the hands of the Catholic Church and, in conjunction with St Andrews Cathedral, was a seat of ecclesiastical power, but with the abolition of the bishops by William of Orange, St Andrews Castle ultimately fell into disrepair in the 18th century.
Thankfully, for us, it was sufficiently preserved from then 'til now to be safe to explore today.
St Andrews Castle Tickets
Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Discover the University of St Andrews
Stroll the streets where love first ignited for Prince William and Kate Middleton, and silently pray that The Prince and Princess of Wales are in town on an alumni visit weekend. No need to take an organized tour unless you’re thinking of attending (a girl can dream).
Wondering what to wear in Scotland? Check out my packing tips!
Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Delight in St Andrews Museum
Extra credit: Discover St Andrews Botanic Gardens
Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Fall in Love with the Old Course
History of The Old Course at St Andrews
Once they were allowed to play again, the game slowly evolved here, with a number of clubs having "play privileges" on the course, in addition to it being open to the public. The most well-known club is The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded in 1754).
The Old Course has hosted a number of prestigious British and international championships over the years, and will be familiar even to the most casual golf follower from The Open Championship, which it has hosted 30 times. St Andrews is also home to a number of other golf courses (ten in total), if actually playing golf is the motivation for your visit! And yes, there is a New Course. For more information on St Andrews Links, check out their website.
Tips for visiting The Old Course at St Andrews
For the rest of us, come to St Andrews on a Sunday - The Old Course is open for walking around. You can stand on the 18th and take a picture for your dad, without getting in the way of someone who’s paid a pretty penny to play the course.
Don't forget to grab your dad a ball marker from the gift shop or one of the surrounding tat stores. Small, compact, and easy to carry - he’ll keep it on his dresser forever.
Where to grab a historic pint in St Andrews
Like any good college town, St Andrews is home to a modern, growing microbrewery, St Andrews Brewing Company.
Thanks for stopping by!
While you're on the blog, I hope you'll check out many more of my tips on visiting Europe in general and the U.K. specifically. For more information about train travel and other great day trips from Edinburgh, check out Visiting the U.K. by Train.
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Sounds like an amazing trip. Been living in the UK for 10 years and never been to Scotland. I am fascinated by it's history. Hoping to visit next year.
Oh you really have to go - it's so lovely. Definitely check-out Edinburgh - it's a perfect 'home base' for a week up there :)
Looks and sounds so beautiful! The pub sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you!! Haven't met a pub I don't like yet :)
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