Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
33
Byre Theatre
E4
C2
Shopping
35
IJ Mellis
C4
History
St Andrews is said to have been founded by St Regulus, who arrived from Greece in the
4th century bringing the bones of St Andrew, Scotland's patron saint. The town soon grew
into a major pilgrimage centre and St Andrews developed into the ecclesiastical capital of
the country. The university, the first in Scotland, was founded in 1410.
Golf has been played here for more than 600 years; the game's governing body was
founded here in 1754 and the imposing Royal & Ancient clubhouse was built 100 years
later.
Sights
St Andrews Cathedral
(HS;
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
; The Pends; adult/child £4.50/2.70, incl castle £7.60/
4.60; 9.30am-5.30pm Apr-Sep, to 4.30pm Oct-Mar)
The ruins of this cathedral are all
that's left of one of Britain's most magnificent medieval buildings. You can appreciate the
scale and majesty of the edifice from the small sections that remain standing. Although
founded in 1160, it was not consecrated until 1318, but stood as the focus of this import-
ant pilgrimage centre until 1559, when it was pillaged during the Reformation.
St Andrew's supposed bones lie under the altar; until the cathedral was built, they had
been enshrined in the nearby Church of St Regulus (Rule). All that remains of this church
Andrews. There's also a
museum
with a collection of Celtic crosses and gravestones
found on the site. The entrance fee only applies for the tower and museum; you can
wander freely around the atmospheric ruins, a fine picnic spot.
RUIN
