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Considered the “home of golf”, the Royal Burgh of St Andrews is a seaside university town draped in Scottish history. Home to the atmospheric ruins of St Andrews Castle and Cathedral, it’s also the setting for the prestigious Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

Things to do

Enjoy a stroll along the perimeter of the world’s first fairways at the Old Course at St Andrews, which lies adjacent to the Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse. Alternatively, you can test your skills on the famous greens at Duke’s or Kingsbarns.

Directly opposite the Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse is the British Golf Museum, which documents the history of the sport from medieval times to the modern day. Admire the vintage equipment, memorabilia and golf-related artworks, then learn about the evolution of the game’s rules throughout the centuries.

Spend an afternoon wandering amidst the atmospheric ruins of St Andrews Castle, which are perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the North Sea. Learn about the powerful bishops who resided here during the 13th century and the historical events that took place during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Visit St Andrews Cathedral, the largest church to have ever been built in Scotland. Admire the panels detailing the cathedral’s rise to prominence and demise during the 16th-century Scottish Reformation, then soak up the views of St Andrews from the 12th-century St Rule’s Tower.

Getting around

Edinburgh International Airport is located around one hour’s drive from St Andrews and there are direct trains to London from the nearby train station at Leuchars. St Andrews is a picturesque town to explore on foot, with plenty of parking available outside the city centre.