St Andrews
Why is St Andrews Special?
St Andrews is the Home of Golf, with the famous Old Course close
to the sea and the west sands. Bordered by sand hills the golf
links are renowned the World Over - a terrain to make the heart
glad.
St Andrews is a world famous tourist resort,
which offers accommodation from internationally acclaimed hotels
to comfortable private guest houses, all with an equally warm
and hospitable Scottish welcome. For more information go to our
tourism page
St Andrews is the home of Scotland's oldest University, the Alma Mater
of many of the most famous figures in British history and three
American Founding Fathers.
Yes, St Andrews is all of these things - but
to us St Andrews is special because it is our home. Enjoy reading
these pages put together by the people of St Andrews for the
people of the world. We are proud of our beautiful and ancient
city and we welcome you to its subtle charms and stirring delights.
"There is no single spot in Scotland
equally full of historical interest ... no place in this country
over which the genius of antiquity lingers so impressively"
Lord Cockburn 1844
For antiquarians and historians
St Andrews has exceptional things to offer: a ruined castle with
a subterranean passage and dungeon; ancient monasteries; Mary
Queen of Scots' House and a "dinged doon" Cathedral.
We have more on the fascinating history of St Andrews for you
on our history page.
St Andrews had the largest mediaeval Cathedral
in the north of Britain and so was for many years a major centre
for religious activity and pilgrimage. Many major events in the
Scottish reformation took place here starting with martyrdom
of Patrick Hamilton, burnt to death for preaching Lutheran doctrines,
in 1528. Read more about our churches old and modern on our churches
page.
St Andrews is an extremely photogenic town
with an active photography club. You might like to see some of
the pictures from their exhibition, "Our Town".
It is conjectured that golf started in St
Andrews around 1350. Certainly in 1491 King James IV passed an
act forbidding golf because it distracted young men from archery
and church attendance. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the governing
body of golf, was founded in 1834 having changed its name from
The Society of St Andrews Golfers (founded 1754) by permission
of King William IV, and is based in St Andrews. You will get
more by going to our golf page.
If you want a map of the town centre there
is one right here courtesy
of the St Andrews Merchants' Association.
These pages were written by Dr Frank Riddell and Norman
Lamont Brown.
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