The Richards in Scotland: St. Andrews...The Birthplace of Golf!!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

St. Andrews...The Birthplace of Golf!!

We decided to take an overnight trip to visit St. Andrews this weekend. About a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive away, it is a small town on the East coast of Fife in Scotland and it is not too far away from Aberdeen. St. Andrews is the home of golf and has Scotland's first University.

We visited St Andrews Cathedral and made a trip up St Rule's Tower which is one of the only surviving sections of the Cathedral ruins. Landon and Jon counted 155 steps up to the top, but we all made it. At the top we had a fantastic view of the town, the beaches and the North Sea. We also went to St Andrews Castle, which is also now in ruins. There we went into a mine, where soldiers once tried to dig their way under the moat and defensive walls in these tiny underground tunnels. Near the Castle we saw St. Salvator's Hall, where Prince William and Princess Kate had rooms during their first year at the College.

While grabbing lunch (Fish and Chips!) at the Tailend Fish Bar on Market Street, we saw a parade going on down Market Street. It was a parade with bagpipers too, where students of St Andrews dress up as notable figures from the town's history. Trent and Landon really enjoyed watching everyone so dressed up. Trent and I went to visit the Burns Sweet Shop on Market Street, a traditional shop where Prince William would visit several times. After lunch we saw the University of St. Andrews, found the 2-story converted flat at 13a Hope Street that William and Kate shared with friends, (thanks for the tip Vanette!) and drove to the West Sands Beach. It was a very cold day but we were glad to have some Sunshine!! It was pretty neat driving around town and seeing all the golf stores and golf restaurants. Everything GOLF!! In late afternoon, we went to check in to our Hotel, The Fairmont. It was a very nice hotel on the outskirts of the city which had its own golfcourse, Kittocks. This resort was the location of the now-famous fashion show attended by William at which Kate modelled a see-through dress. We had dinner at the ClubHouse right along the sea and enjoyed a beautiful view.

The next day we saw the Old Course Hotel and visited the oldest golf course in the world, we walked down the 1st Hole, took photos at the Swilcan Bridge, and then back down the 18th Hole. How Awesome is that!!! (On Sunday the course is closed for play.) We had lunch at The Dunvegan, which was near the 18th hole. (It is owned by an Aggie from Texas!!) The lower walls of the bar are decorated with prints of the winners and significant scenes during the Open Championship played on the Old Course since 1873. The upper walls show famous golfers that have visited the hotel. Other walls showed celebrities from sport and film that have visited the bar.

It was a wonderful weekend in St. Andrews. We loved seeing everything, and well our boys just loved running around the Cathedral Grounds and exploring, climbing down the mine, climbing the Tower to the Top, running down the beach, and being able to run down the Old Golf Course on Sunday. Now to check that off my Bucket List in Scotland!!