St. Andrews: A historic Scottish destination for golf and heritage

St. Andrews, a historic university town located approximately ninety minutes north of Edinburgh, remains a major destination for tourism due to its religious history and its status as the birthplace of golf. The town is situated on a peninsula overlooking the North Sea.

Historically, St. Andrews served as the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. While the cathedral and castle were largely destroyed during the Reformation, their ruins and dungeons remain significant landmarks. The town maintains a medieval street plan characterized by narrow lanes known as “wynds.”

Golf remains the primary attraction, specifically the Old Course. The sport's history in the area dates back to at least 1553, utilizing the grassy beachfront strip that was unsuitable for agriculture.