St Andrews and a bit more

I love St Andrews.

The charm of this university town is bewitching. Even if you are not a fan of golf (Of course it is the home of golf), you will still find a thousand things here for a perfect day out.

I love wandering through its cobbled stone streets, going past the old college buildings, walk under the Pends down to the beach and spend time in the vast grounds of the spectacular ruins of the 12th century cathedral.

Charming streets of St Andrews

Graveyard

The Roman Catholic cathedral was once the centre of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland and is the largest church to have been built in Scotland. The ruins are still as majestic, a reminder of its glorious past. I have been really lucky to have always seen the cathedral at its best - on a clear day, reflecting the warm light of the afternoon sun. Walk up the 156 steps of the St Rule's tower for a perfect view of the Fife coast. Surprisingly, though standing within the cathedral grounds, the tower is not part of the cathedral and predates it by about forty years, having served as a separate church in its own right.

St Andrews cathedral

St Andrews cathedral

St Andrews cathedral

Once finished seeing the cathedral, St Andrews castle is not too far away if you want to have a wander in this picturesquely located ruins.

St Andrews castle ruins

Once you have had a feel of the town, walk down to the beach picking up a fish and chips from the chippy shop and relax enjoying the views of the Fife coast.
You can then walk back to the west of the town for a visit to the old golf course, and a mandatory photograph of the Swilken bridge (with due apologies to the golf lovers), a day well spent.

St Andrews old course with Swilken bridge

However, if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can continue walking east from the beach, towards Boarhills. The coastal walk of around five miles takes you through farms and golf courses interspaced by stretches of more interesting coastal paths.

Looking back at St Andrews

Cliff features on the coastal walk

Guillemots on the coast

Flowery path

The highlight of the walk are some spectacular rock features. The Rock and Spindle is the first one you will come across about half way through the route. Spend some time to walk around the interesting rock formation. It is a good place for a rest too.

Rock and Spindle

Rock and fiddle

The next one is much closer to Boarhills, the Buddo's rock, which definitely looks like a left over part of the cliff as it got washed away through the centuries. The pinkish rock structure is climbable if you do not mind getting a bit of bird poo in your hands.

Buddo's rock 

Buddo's rock

Buddo's rock

Walk past farmland into the village and back on to the road.

Walking past hay bales in Boarhills

From Boarhills, get the bus back to St Andrews, though the wait can be for a while as the service is not too frequent.

Back to St Andrews

Late afternoon in St Andrews

Delicatessen

And some cakes...to take away

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