Destinations > Scotland > Central Scotland > Fife

Fife

The Kingdom of Fife comprises most of the peninsula east of Stirling. The main draw card is the university town of St Andrews where golf was first played.

St Andrews

Visitors to St Andrews will find that there's no escaping the influence that golf has made to this historic university town. The game has been played here since at least as early as 1457 and the rules of the game were first written down at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and that club's Old Course is regarded as the mecca of the golfing world.

It will cost you a bundle if you want to play a round on the Old Course, and you'll need an introduction from your club back home and a reservation made at least a year in advance.

Practical Information

St Andrews Tourist Information Centre

70 Market Street, St Andrews

Tel (01334) 472021

Website www.standrews.com

Open Jan-mid Mar Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm; mid Mar-Jun Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9.30am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9.30am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Nov-Dec Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm

Coming & Going

The most extensive bus and coach services in Fife are operated by Stagecoach Buses (tel (01592) 642 394; website www.stagecoachbus.com/fife), which have buses from St Andrew to Dundee (routes 96, 96a, 99, 99a, 99b) and Glasgow (routes X24, X26). Buses and coaches terminate at St Andrews Bus Station (tel (01334) 474 238) on City Road.

The closest train station, on the Edinburgh-Aberdeen line, is 8km away at Leuchars. Buses 96, 96a, 99, 99a, 99b run between St Andrew and Leuchars train station.

Accommodation

St Andrews Tourist Hostel

Inchape House, St Marys Place, St Andrews KY16 9UY
Tel (01334) 479 911

Sights

British Golf Museum

Chronicling the history of golf, the British Golf Museum's exhibits cover all aspects of the game from its origins to the present day. A new gallery entitled 'The 18th Hole' offers a more hands-on approach with a putting green and replicas of some of the clubs and balls in the museum's collection.

Bruce Embankment, St Andrews

Tel (01334) 460 046

Website www.britishgolfmuseum.co.uk

Admission £4 (£3 students)

Open Jan-Easter Thu-Mon 11am-3pm; Easter to mid-Oct 9.30am-5.30pm daily; mid-Oct to Dec Thur-Mon 11am-3pm

St Andrews Castle

This 13th century castle is the former home of the archbishops of St Andrews and it features a unique bottle dungeon and siege tunnels. The adjoining visitors' centre has displays about both the castle and cathedral.

The Scores, St Andrews

Tel (01334) 477 196

Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Admission £4 (£3 students), ticket also allows entry to St Andrews Cathedral

Open Jan-Mar 9.30am-4.30 daily (last entry 4pm); Apr-Sep 9.30am-6.30pm (last entry 6pm); Oct-Dec 9.30am-4.30pm (last entry 4pm)

St Andrews Cathedral

Once Scotland's largest cathedral, the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral features St Rules Tower, which offers superb views over the town. There is also a museum on the site and an adjoining visitors' centre that has displays about both the castle and cathedral.

The Pends, St Andrews

Tel (01334) 472563

Admission £4 (£3 students)

Open Jan-Mar 9.30am-4.30pm daily (last entry 4pm); Apr-Sep 9.30am-6.30pm daily (last entry 6pm); Oct-Dec 9.30am-4.30pm daily (last entry 4pm)

St Andrews Museum

This museum has exhibits on local history with displays on medieval times and the town's growth in the 20th century.

Kinburn Park, Doubledyke Road, St Andrews

Tel (01334) 412 820

Website www.visit-standrews.co.uk/pages/kinburn.htm

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 10.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 12.30pm-5pm; Apr-Sep 10am-5pm daily; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 10.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 12.30pm-5pm