St Andrews Castle and other Saint Andrews, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

The site of the castle on the rocky north shore has been a fortification since the 11thC. It became the main residence of Scottish Bishops around 1200. it was well defended but fell to the English twice in the 1300's..
it became the scene of a bitter seige in the 16th C. In 1546 the Lutheran reformer George Wishart was burnt at the stake at the castle in front of the Archbishop. In retaliation the Archbishop was murdered and the castle taken by Protestants. the catholics tried to retake the castle and the siege ensued. the besiegers attempted to mine into the castle, which was thwarted by a counter mine from within the castle. However the castle was finally taken after a bombardment from the sea.
The castle was later used as a prison and as a scary dungeon.

The castle is now cared for by Historic Scottland.

Admission Charge - Adults £4.00 (includes museum)

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Phone: 01334 477196
Directions: In St Andrews on A91

St Andrews Castle Museum is located within the castle grounds and as a audio visual display of life in the castle and the cathedral.

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The museum contains a good display of the history of St Andrews

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The mine and countermine dug during the 16th C were rediscoverd in the 1800's.
It is still possible to descend the counter mine from the castle grounds and proceed to the chamber where the mine was intercepted.
It is very cramped and damp down here though and it is not one for the faint hearted.
It is however well worth the effort

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Directions: In the St Andrews Castle grounds

St Andrews Cathedral an the eastern end of the town at he junction of the two main streets.
The site is a collection of old religeous buidings on a large imposing plot.
There as probably been a religeous building on the site since the 8th C. and St Andrews became the centre of the church in Scotland.
The ruins we see today are the remains of a building which took 150 years to complete. Consecration date was 1318.
In 1378 the cathedral was badly damaged by fire and had to be extensively rebuilt. And in 1409 it was the turn of the end of the south transept to collapse under the force of a winter storm.
However it was the Reformation of the church which finally bought an end to the cathedral and it was sacked in 1559.
Thereafter much of the cathedral was broken up and used as building material for the town, and today there are only fragments left.

In care of Historic Scotland.

Admission Charge for museum, grounds free.

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Directions: In St Andrews on the A91

The graveyard at St Andrews Cathedral contians many interesting tombs and monuments, like this ancient Celtic cross

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An ancient tomb set into the town walls in the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral

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In the graveyard of St Andrews Cathedral you can see this interesting monument to a famous 19th C. golfer who won many tournaments at the St Andrews course.
His name was Tommy Morris.

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St Rules Church with its imposing tower is part of the St Andrews Cathedral comlex.
It is possible to climb to the top of the tower which affords a fine view over the Cathedral, the town, and out to sea. (on a clear day that is!)

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City gates on the road from the cathedral down to the harbour.

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