St. Andrew's Scotland Area
 

I'm joining my husband on his business trip to the University of St. Andrews in early July. We've rented an apartment in St. Andrews for 7 nights since he'll be working most days at the University. Any suggestions for day trips a lone and fit 50 year old might enjoy in the area. I'm very active and enjoy hiking, biking, and exploring those beautiful but hard to get to places. I'm not a big fan of the over popular tourist attractions but I'm not opposed to hitting a few "not to miss" tourist attractions. I'll have a rent car and my husband will be joining me for a day here and there. I bought one of the Scotland Guide books but it's not very helpful as to what I should see versus what might be worth skipping. Just lots of statistics so it is a bit overwhelming. Please feel free to pass on any of your favorites within 4 hours of St. Andrew's. (Preferably closer) Many thanks!

Other than St. Andrews itself, the big not-to-miss is Edinburgh. Good either with or without your husband.

1) Edinburgh - but don't drive. Take the train from Leuchars which about 6 miles from St Andrews - local bus or taxi will get you there.

2) Drive through the East Neuk fishing villages (Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, etc.) Lovely waterside villages -and in Anstruther there is the Scottish fisheries museum and boat trips out to the Isle of May -- Crail and the boat trip are 'musts'

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3) Falkland Palace/Gardens

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4) Farther north are Glamis Castle

http://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/

5) Father east - Castle Campbell

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ell/index.html

Tons of other options but these are probably the top 5.

oops -- that should be 5) farther <u>west</u> - CastleCampbell

Thanks for the input. Good idea of taking train into Edinburgh. I assume that is so I don't have to bother with parking and drive?

The main reason to take the train -- it drops you at Waverly Station in the very center of the city, walking distance to just tons of sites, and just below the old town/castle. Driving straight into Edinburgh isn't the nightmare some say -- but parking is tough and expensive and the train is really easy.

Thanks for the help. Should I plan a visit to Stirling Castle as well? Several of the guide books rate it highly. Thoughts?

Oh - sure -- but it depends on which places you want to go w/ your husband.

One suggestion though -- Instead of traveling to Stirling (which IS a fabulous castle) - maybe drive up the coast instead. On your day to Glamis -- cut back to the coast and visit Dunnottar Castle.

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Stirling is a "must" for most folks, but in ways it is a LOT like Edinburgh Castle while Dunnottar is a completely different animal.

St Andrews to Stirling is a bit over 50 miles -- maybe 70-80 minutes drive.

St Andrews to Glamis to Dunnottar is just a bit over 65 miles and about 2 hrs driving.

I was just in St. Andrews by myself for a day in May - loved it! Since you mentioned you were fit, I believe there are some walking trails around the St. Andrews area which should be fun to explore. There is a good map of the town on the St. Andrews website.

There's enough to keep you busy in St Andrew's itself for a couple of days - and early July means sunset at around 10:00pm with the potential of light until nearly 11:00pm

Fife's got masses to see- for most of it, a car would come in handy.

n St Andrews, take a trip underneath the castle . It can be a bit of a squeeze so if you are claustrophobic then probably best to pass on this one. John Knox used to live in this castle - also get chance to see the bottle dungeon . St. Andrews with its ancient university, its cathedral and the home of golf, the Royal and Ancient is seriously worth a visit. It has one of the best beaches in the world- the West Sands, which is where they filmed the opening sequence of Chariots of Fire- shame about the weather- and one of the best ice cream shops in the world (Jannetta's) apart from being a lovely little town.

Along the coast, there are lots of other nice places, like the East Neuk villages, Pittenweem, St Monans and Leven - a stretch of picture-postcard little fishing villages, with Anstruther, Crail, etc, leading toward St Andrews. For hiking, there's the Fife Coastal path that runs along the entire coast.

In Anstruther visit the fishing museum, then have the best fish in the world for your lunch. After that drive along the coast to Largo, home of the 'original' Robinson Crusoe. When Daniel Defoe wrote about Robinson Crusoe, he was writing about a real person. His name was Alexander Selkirk and he came from Largo in Fife. Defoe was an English spy up in Scotland in the 1700's and nicked the story. That area of Fife is well worth a visit Just before you cross the bridge to go to Edinburgh, you have Dunfermilne on your right. Robert the Bruce, the hero king who won Bannockburn is buried here in Dunfermilne Abbey (although his heart is buried at Melrose in the borders); just north of that you will shortly come to Loch Leven, where Mary Queen of Scots was locked up in the castle on the island (v. romantic..the story of the escape- she then fled to her cousin in England for succour. She locked her up for 20 years then beheaded her.) You can take boat trips from Kinross.

Vane Farm Bird Reserve is on the other side of the Loch.


Restaurants in the area which are very good would include the Ostler's Close in Cupar, the Cellar in Anstruther, the Cellar in St Monan's and the Peat Inn at Peat Inn.

Don't forget Ceres and Falkland; and if you run out of things to do in Fife try Dundee. There is a very good visitor centre (the Discovery Centre) near the station which interprets Captain Scott's voyages to the Antarctic, and his ship, the Discovery is moored alongside so you can visit. Nearby is the Unicorn, a Dundee Whaler, which is also open to the public.

Yup, you're in for a treat... there's loads to see in St Andrews itself, and it's an excellent base for day trips especially if you have your own car.

In addition to Sheila's eating rec's, the Dolls House Restaurant in St Andrews is very good - we ran into Sean Connery the last time we were in there!

In addition to Sheila's suggestions:-

Walks - Fife Coastal Path, the stretch from Elie to Largo is my favourite but there are hidden gems along most of its length. The Lomond Hills (not to be confused with Ben Lomond / Loch Lomond), a good half day walk from Falkland or Glenrothes, or you can cheat and drive most of the way, stunning views on a clear day. North East Fife has some fabulous cycling routes on quiet roads and some stretches of dedicated cycle track.
Dunfermline - St Margaret's Cave, Andrew Carnedie's birthplace, Robert The Bruce buried at the Abbey.
For an extra special meal the Seafood Rstaurant in St Andrews is hard to beat. www.theseafoodrestaurant.com even has a sample menu so you can decide if it's in your price range before you book. (Sheila, did you mean the Seafood Restaurant in St Monans when you said the Cellar? I know the Cellar in Anstruther but haven't heard of one in St Monans.)
If you really feel the need to leave Fife for a wee while, the Grouse and CLaret restaurant at Heatheryford near Kinross is a good bet for an evening meal; best book ahead.
And if you really want to get away from the usual tourist traps, try The Great Glenrothes Hippo Parade (yes, really!)