Michael On The Move: Exploring Scotland

Hi all and welcome back to the latest edition of Michael on the Move! I hope you all enjoyed reading about Germany, it surely must have been for any history enthusiast. 

This time, like the Wales article, I’ve chosen to stay a bit closer to home and write this column on a place in the UK: Scotland. There were many places I could have picked, but I wanted to go for something a little more niche, a small seaside town located northeast of Edinburgh. It’s probably best known for its university, one of the top in the UK, or perhaps its famous golf courses. Of course, I’m talking about St Andrews!

The town has 10 public golf courses, that’s roughly one course for every 1,700 residents!

I can’t write about St Andrews without dedicating a section to golf. The town has 10 public golf courses, that’s roughly one course for every 1,700 residents! The most famous of these is The Old Course. Home of The Open Championship, it has hosted the tournament 30 times since 1873. To play a round here, you need to enter a ballot and hope your name is drawn. It’s also fairly expensive, with prices peaking at around £350 for a single round during peak times. But if you are really passionate about golf, have the funds and get lucky in the ballot, I’d definitely recommend a round on this historic course.

Or, if like me you couldn’t hit a par to save your life and cannot justify spending over £300 on a single round, you can still go to the course and take a photo with the iconic ‘The Old Course: St Andrews Links’ sign and visit the clubhouse. There are also plenty of shops where you can buy golf gear or souvenirs. I personally picked up a display case with a personalised golf ball from each of the different St Andrews Links courses. Just be warned, prices in these shops aren’t cheap, so expect to pay quite a lot for a few golf balls!

This is supposedly where Prince William met Kate Middleton, and a place they frequented during their time at St Andrews University

If you’re not a fan of golf, another top attraction I’d recommend is the NorthPoint Cafe. This is supposedly where Prince William met Kate Middleton, and a place they frequented during their time at St Andrews University. The cafe is not only iconic for this reason, but it’s also very conveniently located for visitors who fancy a bite to eat while exploring the town. With a menu that includes tortilla wraps, soups, toasties, as well as brunch dishes like pancakes, bagels, and so much more, this cafe caters for all!

For those who love exploring, the town offers a plethora of ruins to discover. Why not take a trip to St Andrews Castle, once the official residence of Scotland’s leading Bishop during the Middle Ages? The Castle played a role in key moments leading up to the Protestant Reformation, including the burning of the Protestant preacher George Wishart. Archbishop John Hamilton was the last to reside there as bishops were abolished in 1592, leaving the castle without a purpose or resident. It soon fell into disrepair, with parts of it even collapsing into the sea. Today, the Castle hosts events such as historic battle reenactments and, rather fittingly, Easter trails. It is also open for general exploration, allowing visitors to experience this remarkable piece of history.  

From the top, you’ll get a fantastic vantage point and see St Andrews from a whole new perspective 

A five-minute walk from the Castle brings you to St Andrews Cathedral. Also now in ruins, it was built in 1158 and became the centre of the medieval Catholic Church in Scotland. However, following the Protestant Reformation, the cathedral was abandoned and left to fall into ruin. Today, the cathedral grounds are open to visitors free of charge, with guided tours available. There’s even the opportunity to climb St Rule’s Tower, which stands at 33 metres tall. From the top, you’ll get a fantastic vantage point and see St Andrews from a whole new perspective. 

I hope this has shown why St Andrews is worth a visit. While I highly doubt there’s enough to do to keep you occupied for days, a day or two is probably perfect, especially if you’re already in the area, perhaps visiting Edinburgh or Glasgow or even visiting friends at the university. Wherever you are, next time you’re in Scotland, consider taking some time to explore this historic town!

Until next time…