📌 St Andrews, Fife
★★★★
🛠️ Castle open with some access restrictions (checked April 2024)
The ruins of St Andrews Castle stand at the east end of St Andrews town centre, close to the coast. This area has been fortified since at least the 1100s, but the current buildings date from around a century later, when the castle became the official residence of the bishops of St Andrews (of St Andrews Cathedral) – and thus the ecclesiastical administration centre for the Scottish church. The castle was attacked several times over the centuries, and rebuilding and re-strengthening took place after the Wars of Independence and also as the Reformation approached. A siege carried out by the Earl of Arran in 1546 involved the construction of underground passageways (by both sides) which you can still explore by crawling in places: great fun if you’re in an adventurous mood. The buildings fell into ruin after bishops were abolished following the Reformation, with coastal erosion adding to the damage caused by religious conflict.
🌍 Location
📌 The Scores, 5-min walk northeast of St Andrews town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 513169
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.342183,-2.790175
🚌 Bus to St Andrews
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily
🎫 £8 adult / £6 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members. Joint ticket with St Andrews Cathedral also available
