What to see and do whilst visiting St Andrews in Fife

Whether you are planning a short, refreshing break or a long, relaxing holiday, the Kingdom of Fife and St Andrews provide the perfect setting. It is impossible to list all the interesting places to visit…

Majestic St Andrews, once the centre of Scottish religion and a place of international pilgrimage, its castle was the dramatic backdrop of many of the bloodiest episodes of the Reformation. It is in more recent times recognised the world over as the Home of Golf. In addition to the six championship courses in St Andrews there are another forty courses throughout the Kingdom ranging from traditional links through tree lined parkland to some of the most recently laid out greens and fairways in Scotland.

A recent addition is the Scottish National Golf Centre at Drumoig (one mile) providing a floodlit driving range, indoor pitching and putting areas and video facility. Not to be missed is the British Golf Museum situated just behind the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse in St Andrews. We are happy to book tee times at any of the surrounding golf courses. Leaving your golf clubs at home - not to worry - we have a set you are welcome to use.

St Andrews is home too to Scotland's oldest university set amongst delightful quadrangles and gardens. The city also boasts two very fine beaches. Children are well catered for with a leisure centre, the Sea Life Aquarium and Craigtoun Country Park offering a variety of entertainment and things to keep them occupied.

Travel through the quaint fishing villages of the East Neuk and you travel back in time. Traditional cottages with red pantile roofs appear unchanged from past times. Enjoy spectacular sunsets in the deserted harbours or visit early to watch the bustle of fishermen unloading their catch. There are also numerous shoreline walks to be enjoyed including the Fife Coastal Path together with the Millennium Cycleways project, both currently under development with large sections complete. If you are feeling fit or just want to get out there perhaps you would like  to borrow our mountain bikes!

The river Tay divides the north coast of Fife from Dundee - City of Discovery - there you will find the frigate Unicorn, the oldest British warship afloat, and permanently at anchor is The Discovery, the tall-masted ship built at Dundee for the Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Scott. It is situated next to the Olympic Swimming Pool. The most recent visitor attraction to Dundee is the Verdant Works where you can step back in time to trace the story of Jute. By the end of the 19th Century Dundee single-handedly supplied all of the global demand for jute products.

North of Dundee is Glamis Castle; the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and, further north is Balmoral Castle the summer retreat of the Royal Family and the venue for the famous Highland Games. Well within an hour's drive are Scone Palace and the Fair City of Perth. A slight detour takes you to the Scottish Antiques Centre at Abernyte. Another must for antique hunters (afternoons only) is the village of Ceres just ten minutes drive and surrounded by the rich agricultural land of the valley of the River Eden known as the Howe of Fife. It is also home to the Fife Folk Museum, which has an excellent collection of old farming implements, tools and costume. Together with pottery and coffee shop this special little village makes for an enjoyable afternoon outing.

There is a useful website at www.scenicscotland.net giving you lots of hints for places to visit, eating out, shops and services and sport and recreation facilities in the area plus a number of other areas in Scotland.