Explore St Andrews: Gateway to the East Neuk & Scotland’s Coastal Heritage

St Andrews is a medieval university town set by wide beaches on the east coast of Fife. It is famous worldwide as the “home of golf,” yet its appeal reaches far beyond the fairways: a ruined cathedral and castle recall its religious importance, narrow streets still hum with student life, and a long seafront offers air and space. The town is compact enough to explore on foot but makes a strong base for coastal walks, fishing villages, and day trips inland.

Not far—about 13 miles / 21 km— lies Dundee, Scotland’s fourth-largest city with major museums and shopping. However, St Andrews was chosen as a hub because of its compact size makes it easy to walk, its medieval and university heritage gives it character, and it sits directly on the coast with beaches, ruins, and the Old Course all within reach. From here you can branch east into the fishing villages of the East Neuk, north into Angus glens, or cross the Tay to Dundee itself as a satellite day trip. In short, St Andrews offers the services of a base town while keeping the charm of a historic coastal setting.

Getting There & Around

The town has no rail station of its own, but trains from Edinburgh and Dundee reach Leuchars in about 70 minutes. From there it’s a 10–15 minute bus or taxi ride into St Andrews. Drivers take the A91 or A915; allow around 90 minutes from Edinburgh or 2 hours from Glasgow. Parking in town is limited in summer, with pay-and-display car parks filling early.

St Andrews itself is walkable: from the castle and cathedral to the Old Course and West Sands you rarely need more than 15 minutes on foot. To reach the East Neuk villages or Tentsmuir Forest, local buses run regularly, and taxis are common for short hops. The Fife Coastal Path passes through the town, linking villages by trail as well as by road.

Where to Stay

Accommodation is varied for a town its size. Historic inns and small hotels cluster near the cathedral ruins and harbour. Modern hotels line the Old Course, popular with golf visitors. B&Bs and self-catering rentals spread through the side streets. If you prefer a quieter night, villages such as Crail and Anstruther along the East Neuk coast offer guesthouses within 20–30 minutes’ drive.

Food & Drink

Seafood dominates menus, from harbour cafés to fine dining restaurants. The Old Course Hotel and West Port offer polished Scottish dining, while Market Street and South Street are packed with pubs, student bars, and bakeries. The East Neuk adds award-winning fish and chip shops, and farmers’ markets in nearby towns supply local cheese, vegetables, and shellfish.

Must-See in Town

St Andrews condenses centuries of history into a short coastal walk, from medieval ruins to modern sport. Each stop is within a few minutes of the next.

• St Andrews Cathedral: Once the largest church in Scotland, now a dramatic ruin open to the sky. The on-site museum displays carved stones; St Rule’s Tower offers sweeping views. Good for: history, panoramas, photography.
• St Andrews Castle: A shore-side fortress with dungeons, sea views, and medieval mine tunnels dug during sieges. Good for: families, heritage, coastal views.
• West Sands & East Sands: Long beaches backed by dunes, used for film scenes in Chariots of Fire. Good for: walks, picnics, sea air.
• University of St Andrews: Founded in 1413, it is Scotland’s oldest university. Courtyards, museums, and medieval colleges sit woven through the town. Good for: atmosphere, quick cultural stops.
• Old Course & Swilcan Bridge: The world’s most famous golf course, open to view even if you never swing a club. Walk across the bridge for a classic photo. Good for: golf fans, heritage images.

Satellites from St Andrews

St Andrews sits at the heart of Fife’s East Neuk — a stretch of fishing villages and coast paths that balance sea views with quiet charm. Beyond the town the choices widen: harbours where white-harled houses and red-tiled roofs reflect trade with the Low Countries, pine forests where seals bask on sandbanks, and a modern museum across the Tay. All are within an easy hour, making them straightforward day trips

• East Neuk Villages: Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St Monans are a string of historic harbours 20–30 minutes away by car or bus. Their narrow wynds, weathered piers, and fresh seafood stalls capture a slower coastal rhythm. Good for: seafood, coastal strolls, village photography.
• Tentsmuir Forest & Beach: A short drive or cycle from Leuchars, this vast pinewood backs onto dunes and a wide, flat beach. Seals often rest on the sandbanks, and level tracks make it one of the best family cycling spots in eastern Scotland. Good for: wildlife, cycling, quiet picnics.
• Dundee & V&A Museum: Just 20–25 minutes across the Tay Bridge by road, Dundee’s waterfront has been reshaped around Scotland’s first design museum, the V&A, standing beside RRS Discovery — the ship that carried Scott and Shackleton to Antarctica. Together they make for a compact city day that blends architecture, exploration, and history. Good for: architecture, museums, rainy-day plans. Good for: architecture, museums, rainy-day plans.
• Angus Glens (e.g., Glen Clova): About an hour’s drive north, these corrie-carved valleys offer heather slopes, waterfalls, and short hill walks — the closest “Highland feel” to St Andrews. Good for: walkers, scenic drives, first taste of Highlands scenery.

Practical Notes

• Weather: Winds off the North Sea can be sharp, even in summer — carry a warm layer.
• Dining: Book restaurants in peak golf season or August weekends.
• Access: Cathedral ruins and beaches have uneven ground; most town streets are level and easy to walk.