Once again, thanks for everyone's help.
Now I have train issues/questions. I had thought I could get advance, single tickets for a very reasonable price but these seem to not be available on the 31st of December from Chester to Leuchars. Now I am considering a round trip ticket from Chester to Edinburgh, because that seems to be the cheapest option, although it doesn't seem all that cheap...If I do that, I will then need a train/bus to St Andrews on the 31st, and back to Edinburgh on the 2nd. I will take the return train back to Chester on the 6th, and will then need an early train or bus to Manchester airport on the 7th which is a Sunday. Any other options/advice will be VERY much appreciated. When I told my friend the cost of the train tickets he wanted to kill me so I need all of the help I can get! (Although the whole St Andrews thing was his idea in the first place!)
Jean

You should be able to get a single from Chester to Leuchars on the 31st...

OK, I had a problem with thetrainline, which just refused to give me a result, BUT National Rail Enquiries says you can leave at 9.55, 11.55, 13.55 or 15.55 arriving at 16.33, 18.01,19.13 or 22.15.

It's going to cost £66.50 standard single (phew!). You must realise that New Year is the BIG Scottish holiday so all prices are premium. Also, if you don't book your seats, you'll be standing all the way.

Look out for Sunday trains in Britain! Really this is not scaremongering.I would absolutely definitely never rely on a Sunday train in Britain to get me somewhere I really had to be. Honestly I am not exaggerating.
Sundays are days when railways are maintained and often have buses put on because a section of rail is closed. The buses invariably take longer than the train is scheduled to take.
I caught the train from Chester to Manchester airport last month(this was the night before my flight as even on a weekday I do not trust the train to get me anywhere on time). I arrived in Crewe and checked the connection and the timetable just read " this service is suspended" and yet on the trainline.co.uk it had quoted it.
You need to stay the night before your flight in Manchester Airport . Bewleys Hotel is great- all rooms £69.00

Just to add about Sunday trains - you've also got to consider several other factors like the period betwen Christmas & NY is popular for doing major maintenance on the rails - so trains are cancelled / are shorter / take different routes / take a lot longer.

Plus it is the peak time for LEISURE train travel in the UK so any seats that do exist get booked PDQ

Thank-you for all 0f the help! I did finally book the train tickets. Even though they were kind of pricey, I figured that I had saved so much on the airfare that I could spend the extra on the tickets and not have to be too concerned about it. All rooms are booked except for the last night in Manchester. I feel much better and can now concentrate on the fun stuff like what pubs we should visit! And by the way, one of the guest houses that janisj mentioned, JAmes Cottage at www.scotland2000.com/james/index.htm was amazing. Even though I decided to stay in St Andrews during this time period, he gave me some great advice on the area and was very kind. It is true about the Scottish people, they really are the greatest! Thank-you to all of you who responded to my often frenzied questions.
Jean

Living in Manchester and travelling regularly to Edinburgh I have some recommendations for pubs/eateries. Leith in Edinbugh, has been mentioned and this is a great place for Fish restaurants and general atmosphere. Frankensteins in the City Centre (Edinburgh) is a fun pub, also for atmosphere, try the "Oxford Bar" - well known because its crime literary connections . In Manchester, some of the good pubs have been mentioned but would add "The Ox" on Liverpool Road, and many of the pubs on Deansgate Locks ie "Dukes 92". There are some fabulous tapas bars along Deansgate including an Italian Tapas Bar! My favourite which is off Deansgate and not an easy find but absolutely brilliant is "El Rincon".

Steve, I am heading to Manchester this Thursday for a long weekend and would appreciate any restaurant suggestions you have (I've looked in guidebooks, but it's always best to ask a local). I'm looking for seafood and/or traditional British pub grub and wondering if there is any place that offers traditional afternoon tea. I'm also a woman that will be traveling alone, so I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be going into pubs by myself. I'm staying at the Arora, which looks like a good, central location.

Any advise is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Janedoeinnyc
As far as seafood there are few although Lloyds in or near Albert Square specialises in it (I've not eaten there but it gets frequent mention)- and of course there are many many Asian restaurants that serve up seafood in the centre of Manchester. Sams Chophouse serve up a really nice Cod and chips, and it doubles as a pub so that would be my vote as a single woman; otherwise, although not necessarily dangerous, I would feel uneasy in most pubs as a single woman. Can not advise on afternoon teas but most hotels/classy shops serve afternoon tea. Enjoy the trip and of course if I can give you further advice.....

The Lowry hotel does a very classy afternoon tea with optional glass of champagne.

Apologies, Janedoeinnyc.
Its 'Livebait' in Lloyds Street near Albert Square and not Lloyds which specialise in fish, especially seafood ie shellfish like prtawns and mussels. Nice to know how you go on - good luck.
Carryonbaggage - one of the pubs that I overlooked which I think is a real hidden gem in the Centre of Manchester is 'Mother Macs' in Back Piccadilly - fabulous. The other which is much mentioned is Peveril of the Peak in Gt Bridgewater Street - as real a Pub as you can get.

Thanks stevelyon, I'm glad to hear "the Ox" in Manchester is a good pub. That is where I booked a room for our last night in Manchester. Even if the room isn't great, at least the pub will be! Thanks for all of the great local info!
Jean

Thanks so much, Steve and Caroline, for your recommendations. I'm off to the airport in a few hours, staying at the Arora, which looks lovely. Will check back in when I'm home next week to let you know how it went.

I have a few more questions for those with knowledge of St Andrews. It seems that most things (castle,golf museum, etc.) will be closed while we are there (from Dec.31-Jan.2). Will stores and restaurants also be closed? Will we be able to view the closed sights such as the castle and tower from the outside? Since we will be there for New Year's Eve, does anyone have any suggestions for a fun pub with local music or any other things we should do? I have looked at a few of the organized events that are at the big hotels, but they are over our budget and although we will be bringing nice clothes we will not have a black-tie wardrobe with us.
Thanks again for any advice!
Jean

You'll need to check each one individually. This is a major holiday here so there are no rules. Most shops and restaurants will be open on the 31st, but some restaurants will not be open in the evening. Some will.

A few (and I mean few) restaurants will be open on the 1st, but nothing else will. A few more will be open on the 2nd, but nothing else will.