Guided walks in St Andrews

Explore the history of St Andrews from its pre-history to the present.

Covering the legends of antiquity, the turmoil of the Reformation, the history and traditions of Scotland's first university, and the stories of the home of golf.

• Beginning at the Harbour we discuss how St Andrew came to be associated with this area, became the patron saint of Scotland, the importance of the harbour to the development of St Andrews and the traditional scarlet-gowned student pier walk.
   
• Moving up to the Cathedral we discuss the development of ever increasing sizes of churches built in the area from the 8th to the 14th centuries, culminating in the consecration of the cathedral in 1318 and theories of its destruction in the 16th century.  We discuss what happened to the relics of St Andrew, and view some interesting gravesites in the cathedral including those of famous golfers Old Tom Morris, his son Young Tom Morris and Alan Robertson.
   
• Arriving at the Castle we discuss St Andrews' pivotal role in the Reformation of the 16th century and the numerous "burnings at the stake" which took place in the town at the time. We discuss the takeover of the castle by reformers,  the counter attacks by the authorities of the time and the archaeological evidence discovered to substantiate the history. The brutal murders in St Andrews didn't end with the Reformation and we examine the echoes of the Reformation at the time of Scotland's National Covenant in the 17th century.
   
• Moving through the town, we discuss the beginnings of Scotland's first university - the third oldest university in the English speaking world; its links to the church of the time, some of its famous graduates, its traditions, buildings and development over 600 years, and the challenges it faces today.
   
• Arriving at the Golf Courses we discuss the development of golf in the area, why it is that St Andrews is the 'Home of Golf', why golf was banned in the 15th century, why the golf clubs of the town don't own the golf courses, why we play 18 holes, why there's a claret jug presented to the winner of the Open Championship. We discuss some of the great golfers who have been made famous at St Andrews and who in turn have made St Andrews famous.  We discuss the current pressures and controversies on golf in the town.
   
• By the end of the tour you will have a sound understanding of what makes St Andrews - town, gown and golf - uniquely special and renowned the world over as  place of colourful history, academic excellence, and the 'Home of Golf'

The whole tour is interactive with questions welcomed. Anecdotes of St Andrews' history and culture are interspersed with in-depth and humorous insights into the town.  The tour takes about 90 minutes.

Tours run as needed. Please enquire about times and costs.

Participants should wear good walking shoes and be capable of walking on some inclines.
Times:  by prior arrangement

About your guide :  Ken Cochran is a former member of the University Court (the board of trustees) of the University of St Andrews. He grew up in the St Andrews area and is a graduate of the University of St Andrews. He also works in digital media and is the producer of the St Andrews DVD - a documentary on the history of St Andrews. He golfs regularly on the St Andrews Links golf courses.

To reserve a tour time, please contact us.