Luxury holidays in St Andrews

Named after the patron saint of Scotland, spinsters, and strangely, sore throats, St Andrews has been a religious site of pilgrimage since the Middle Ages. Today, this endearing coastal town draws pilgrims of a different kind; golfers looking to strike out in the sport’s birthplace, or starry-eyed romantics tracing the spot where William met Kate. For those unphased by putters and princes, the narrow cobbled streets, dramatic rocky landscapes, nearby castles and medieval ruins are sure to seduce. The auld grey toon has a distinctly collegiate feel due to its ancient university, where Mary Queen of Scots herself is said to have planted a mystical thorn tree. Take a crisp morning run along West Sands Beach in the spirit of Chariots of Fire before warming up with a fine wee dram from one of St Andrews’ nearby distilleries.

Recommended offers

See our boutique hotel deals

When to go

A thriving university town, students account for almost half the population. To bypass the crowds of gloating parents, avoid travelling during graduation season.

Getting there

  • Planes

    The closest airport is Dundee, though most international flights will arrive in Edinburgh. From there, your best bet is the St Andrews shuttle service, which takes around one hour and runs multiple times a day.
  • Automobiles

    Skip the car and invest in a good pair of walking shoes instead. Unless of course, you plan on exploring the rest of Fife’s Kingdom, where four wheels are the way to go. Take the scenic route along the glimmering Firth of Forth coastline for show-stopping lowland scenery.