ST ANDREWS AND THE FISHING VILLAGES OF FIFE
Highlights
Forth Bridge, East Neuk of Fife, St Andrews Cathedral, Castle and University, The Old Course, Falkland Palace
Itinerary Summary
St Andrews, ancient university town, old holy capital of Scotland and epicentre of the violent protestant reformation and ancestral home of golf; it’s remarkable that such a small town packs so many interesting features! The ancient ruined St Andrews Cathederal and Castle tell a quite a story in religious history of Scotland and we roam the architectural beauty at the colleges of St Andrews University, one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious universities including, St Salvator’s Chapel and St Margaret’s quad. We take the time to visit the world-famous St Andrews Old Course, thought to be the world’s oldest golf course and stop for a picture on the fairway at the iconic Swilcan Bridge. The seaside villages of the East Neuk of Fife are of Scotland’s prettiest; colourful fisherman’s cottages surrounding quaint harbours packed with fishing vessels situated along stunning coastline. Gain insight into the working life of Scottish fisherman, visit harbours to admire fishing vessels and coastal views out to the North Sea and the Isle of May. We continue our journey to the village of Falkland and the site of the ancient Falkland Palace (see below for entry), once a favourite royal residence. We conclude our tour with stops at the seaside villages of Aberdour with ancient castle and North Queensferry at the Forth Bridge, a marvel of Victorian engineering and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tour Customisation Activities
Falkland Palace entry (Apr-Sep): Scottish renaissance style palace, once upon a time a favourite royal palace to the Stewart monarchs with splendid gardens.
St Andrews Castle entry: A ruined medieval fortress with royal connections and home to the bishops of St Andrews, once the most powerful figures in Scotland. Site of reformation wars.
British Golf Museum: Located opposite the clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the museum documents the history of golf from medieval times to the present.
Pitch and Putt at the Balgrove Course: A laid back round of golf at the beautifully kept 9-hole small par three course. Suitable for golfers of all ages and handicaps (or none!). Club rental available.
Himalayas Putting Course (Apr-Sep): A unique facility in St Andrews, a private club founded in 1867, the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club course is open to the public and is a fun yet challenging putting course (club hire available).
Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther: A record of the history of the Scottish fishing industry and its people from earliest times to the present day including 18 boats, the pride of which is the 104-year-old twin-masted herring drifter, Reaper.
Whisky Distilleries: Kingsbarns Distillery – has recently started selling a 3 year old single malt that is getting noticed; Lindores Abbey Distillery – produces whisky on a site of an ancient former monastery thought to be where the original aqua vitae was distilled by Benedictine monks!
Lunch options: Anstruther Fish and Chips – winner of numerous national awards and considered to be the ‘Best Fish and chips in Britain’; Tailend Restaurant – Excellent establishment selling fresh locally caught seafood in St Andrews; The Jigger Inn – The ‘19th hole’ of the St Andrews Old Course; The Seafood Ristorante – Local Scottish seafood served with an Italian twist in a modern setting with 360-degree sea views; The Cellar – A small Michelin Starred fine dining restaurant in the heart of the East Neuk; The Grange Inn – Intimate, modern Scottish restaurant set in converted 17th-century farmhouse with exposed stonework.