Historic St Andrews

St Andrews is a short drive from Edinburgh, a favourite city I will write about later. On the coast you at first wonder what all the fuss is about. The true home of golf--you mean this is where it all started amongst windswept sand dunes in 1400 ad--but Augusta it is not. Do not expect green fairways and lush trees and gardens. However stay a wee while and you will enjoy the splendour that is unique to this links style old course and its historical presence. There are 4 other courses that you can play on. A game on the Old Course requires a letter of introduction and many months advance notice unless you know someone as we did. There is a magnificent Old Course Resort Hotel and Spa adjacent to the 17th hole.

Quick Tips:

Wander amongst the ruins along the seafront and walk through the city. Of course you will visit the courses-there is an old and new and 3 other courses. The old clubhouse is quite splendid. There is a good website for saint-andrews. The Tourist Info Centre does walking tours of the course museums and castles and there are good maps available. We found two days was enough before we headed up to Blair Athol and Lochness---another travel story.

Best Way To Get Around:

You can walk everywhere in St Andrews; it is quite tiny. Our car was not necessary. Because they have a late sunset at 10.00 and a long twilight you can really keep wandering safely until quite late. There is a pier and walk along the seafront and the town itself is easy to navigate on foot. Try a scotch pie from one of the take away cafes-it is a greasy decadence but delicious.

Good old fashioned guesthouse/hotel with our upstairs room overlooking the sea and a short walk from St. Andrews Old Course. The room was most comfortable with tea and coffee making facilities and our own private bathroom. Breakfast was traditional Scottish and included porridge, haggis, and oatcakes. The Russell was popular for golfers and we befriended a number of travelers.

We were so very lucky as we knew the 'Starter' at the golf course as he had been a member of our club in Sydney-Castle Cove. He and his wife arranged for my husband to play golf and to attend a dinner dance at the old club house. We had a wonderful time. On arrival for dinner, I had to go in the Ladies' side door -- only men could go through the front door. Dinner was traditional Scottish -- smoked salmon and a choice of roast with delicious desserts. We drank whisky and wine of course. At the dance, there were many men in kilts and we danced all night, having a sensational time. Afterwards we went to the home of our hosts and sang and danced and drank whisky till the wee small hours. A very special moment in time in our travels.