By Janey Swanson
You will be surprised how much you can pack into 48 hours in Fife and St Andrews. Take some inspiration from our weekend guide.
Day one
From the centre of the town few places in St Andrews, from the golf links to the medieval harbour, castle or cathedral, are more than a 20-minute walk away. Enjoy a bracing walk, or break into a run on the West Sands after breakfast. Pop in and say hello to the seals and meerkats – yes you read that right – at St Andrews Aquarium.
Those not so keen on spending four hours on the golf links can browse around the shops. From rare books to jewellery, St Andrews has lots to offer. Or you could try one of the spas at the Old Course Hotel and Golf Resort beside the Old Course, or at the clifftop Fairmont which also boasts its own two golf courses. A challenging attraction is St Rule’s tower in the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral. Its 156 steps and narrow winding staircase are not for the claustrophobic, but the view from the top is breathtaking.
-
- Descend into the St Andrews Castle’s unique underground mine
-
- Explore the remains of Scotland’s largest and most magnificent medieval church, St Andrews Cathedral
St Andrew’s historic Castle, projecting into St Andrews Bay, has some of the most important siegeworks anywhere in Europe and its bottle dungeon is a grim reminder of its sometimes bloody history. Today, however it is a tranquil place to walk around and the views from its grounds are spectacular.
Another peaceful place to sit and reflect is the university’s St Salvator’s Chapel on North Street which has stunning stained glass windows. If all that sightseeing has made you hungry, you could sample St Andrews lobster at the Vine Leaf in South Street. Little Italy in nearby Logie’s Lane, serves delicious pasta in an intimate atmosphere or Mitchell’s in Market Street is another popular eating place.
Those not so keen on spending four hours on the golf links can browse around the shops –from rare books to jewellery, St Andrews has lots to offer
Day two
You can’t stay in the East Neuk of Fife without visiting the fishing villages that line the coast. A short drive or bus journey from St Andrews lies Crail. Its attractions include small shops, scenic views, a tiny harbour, art galleries, a pottery and a museum.
Enjoy a boat trip on the May Princess to see beautiful seabirds and seals up close
In neighbouring Anstruther the waterfront forms one side of Shore Street, the main thoroughfare. The inner harbour pontoons are thick with leisure sailing boats and the RNLI has a station there. Many shops and eating places, including the famous Anstruther Fish Bar, enjoy open views over the Firth of Forth. You could easily spend a day at the nearby Scottish Fisheries Museum which also has a tea room.
While in Anstruther, take a boat trip to the May Island to see puffins, other seabirds and seals up close. The Isle of May RIB ‘Osprey’ will give you two to three hours on the island. Alternatively, a trip on the ‘May Princess’ lasts around five hours with between two to three hours on the island.
Read more about Fife and St Andrews
