Add dates

St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fishing Villages of Fife Tour

1. From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fishing Villages of Fife Tour

Travel through the historic country of Fife on this day trip from Edinburgh aboard an airconditioned bus. Dive into sights that you see along the way with live commentary. Stop in the charming towns of Anstruther, St. Andrews, and South Queensferry. Leave Edinburgh and admire views of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge as you cross the Firth of Forth, and enter into the ancient “Kingdom of Fife.” Pass through Aberdour before continuing into the East Neuk of Fife.  Take in the views as you pass thorugh the picturesque villages of St. Monans and Pittenween, which were once thriving fishing. Reach the town of Anstruther, the home of the Scottish Fisheries Museum, where the bus will make a stop.  Leaving Anstruther, journey through Crail and then arrive in the beautiful medieval town of St. Andrews in time for lunch. Have free time to walk around the town which is famous as the home of golf and has the best-known golf course in the world. Spend your three-hours of free time purchasing lunch, walking down cobbled streets, seeing the ruins of the cathedral and castle, or visiting Scotland’s oldest university, where Prince William met Kate Middleton. Heading homewards, travel across the Lomond hills, descending to Loch Leven (where Mary Queen of Scot was imprisoned). Make a brief stop to admire magnificent views of the Forth Bridges in South Queensferry before returning to Edinburgh.

St. Andrews: Golf History Tour - Town and Old Course

2. St. Andrews: Golf History Tour - Town and Old Course

After meeting your guide outside Hotel du Vin, you will see the former birthplace of Old Tom Morris before heading into the quadrangle of St. Salvator’s College to learn about Scotland's oldest university. Along with a few other points of interest along the way, the cathedral grounds are the next landmark on the tour. Resting there are some 124 golfing greats, including some of the Tom Morris family and Allan Robertson. Walking then along the beautiful coastline, you'll overlook St. Andrews Bay as you travel to the former Archbishops Palace where the darker history of the town continues. It is there that Richard will succinctly put golf and the history of St. Andrews into perspective. From there you'll travel further along university buildings, the Principals House, and the residence where Prince William and Kate spent their first year as students. Head to the Old Course and hear about the early development of the game of golf and how it developed in St Andrews and became the Home of Golf. Walk by the first fairway hearing about some of the quarks of the game which have shaped its remarkable history, and iconic buildings overlooking the course. The tour then finishes at the Swilkan Bridge where you will be able to have your photo taken on the bridge. You can then head to the Jigger Inn to relax and ponder the many heady days of St. Andrews.

St. Andrews: Guided Walking Tour. 12pm, 2pm, 4pm all year

3. St. Andrews: Guided Walking Tour. 12pm, 2pm, 4pm all year

Following author and historical expert Richard Falconer, learn the history of St Andrews while exploring the major historic quarters of the city. Visit St Andrews town, St Andrews Cathedral, St Andrews Castle, Scotland's oldest university, and the Old Course. Set with the backdrop of Fife’s rolling hills, dramatic cliffs, thundering seas, long golden sands, and medieval buildings, discover an incredible wealth of treasures in St Andrews with your expert guide. As you explore, discover the history and stories of the city. Visit St Andrews Links, known as The Home of Golf, and learn about Old Course, the most prestigious golf course in the world. Hear about royalty through the ages from Pictish kings to Mary Queen of Scots, to Prince William and Kate. Then, learn about the Scottish inventor of the kaleidoscope that lost out on millions here. Whatever your interests, this is a great way for anyone looking to explore and find out more about this unique part of the world.

St Andrews: 90-Minute Historical Walking Tour

4. St Andrews: 90-Minute Historical Walking Tour

Discover the best of St Andrews on this walking tour and immerse yourself in the city's unique history and beauty in the company of Richard Falconer, a professional author/historian and guide. Richard has been researching the town's history for over 40 years and will take you on a journey that includes its lost and forgotten history spanning over 2000 years. You will learn how it has been a spiritual centre since 500 BC and its royal connections through the Pictish Kings, Robert the Bruce, Mary of Guise, James V, Mary Queen of Scots and Prince William. Discover off-the-beaten-track locations and gems such as the former Scottish seat of the Knights Templar and the St Andrews Meridian Line. Hear about why its first observatory was demolished and about a near-forgotten 16th-century university dwelling. Learn also about the lost treasure of St Andrews Cathedral and why it may still be here, as Richard discloses the latest developments in his research and much more besides on this fascinating insightful introduction to St Andrews - and all in an hour and a half!

St Andrews: City Highlights Private Guided Walking Tour

5. St Andrews: City Highlights Private Guided Walking Tour

A quaint town beaming with locals, students from all over the world and even royalty, our St Andrews is charming and captivating, whichever way you look! From the international home of golf, to the world’s third oldest university, with one of the most beautiful shorelines on the east coast, there’s something for everyone to discover in this idyllic town. Join your local guide on a 1.5 hour stroll around the main sights of St Andrews and discover things you wouldn't see visiting yourself. Explore St Andrews as you walk in the footsteps of golfing legends, royals, heretics who were burned at the stake, famous cats and those who live in St Andrews today! Your local guide will bring St Andrews to life. Key sights: St Andrews Cathedral St Andrews Castle The Old Course The University of Saint Andrews St. Salvator's Chapel …and many more hidden gems!

From Edinburgh: 2-Day Scottish Highlands & St. Andrews Tour

6. From Edinburgh: 2-Day Scottish Highlands & St. Andrews Tour

Take a 2-day adventure out into the Highlands with a charismatic and knowledgeable guide. See the views that inspired countless artists and writers, and visit its most famous attractions, including Loch Ness. Day 1 Departing from Edinburgh, pass the iconic Forth Bridge as you make your way to St. Andrews. Take time to explore the town’s medieval castle and cathedral, ancient University buildings (where Prince William and Kate met), or wander along the fairways edge of the world-famous Old Course.   You’ll then venture into the Scottish Highlands with a visit to the peaceful Hermitage nature reserve. Take a short walk through the forest to the Falls of Brann before lunch in Pitlochry. Continue north into the Cairngorm National Park and watch as the rolling mountains turn blue in the summer or white with falling snow in the winter. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive at Clava Cairns, the Neolithic burial chambers that inspired Diana Gabaldon during the writing of her famous Outlander novels.   Your second-to-last stop today is at Culloden Moor, the site of the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. Your guide will retell the events of the battle and teach you about its significance not only to the Highlands, but also to the Scottish diaspora since. Spend the night in Inverness, a small city packed with restaurants and fun pubs—meet the locals and dance the night away to Highland music in the famous Hootenanny’s Bar with your fellow travelers.   Day 2 Your second day begins by venturing the entire length of the most famous body of water in the world, Loch Ness. Pass Urquhart Castle on your way to Fort Augustus at the mouth of the Loch, where you’ll have the option of taking a 1-hour boat cruise to search for Nessie.   Continue West towards the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, recently made famous by the Harry Potter movies. Hike to a viewpoint to get the best photos of this impressive piece of 19th-century engineering and, in the other direction, be treated to views of Loch Shiel and the monument to the Jacobites: one of the finest views in Scotland.   After lunch, you’ll arrive in Glencoe, the site of the infamous Massacre of 1692. Your guide will share this terribly sad story of betrayal with you. However, the beauty of Glencoe stays with those who visit this place for a very long time.   Your unforgettable Highland adventure ends with a scenic drive through Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park, passing Stirling Castle and into Edinburgh.

Edinburgh: Shore Excursion Tour to St. Andrews and Fife

7. Edinburgh: Shore Excursion Tour to St. Andrews and Fife

We leave the port, crossing the iconic Forth Bridge, into the ancient “Kingdom of Fife”, passing through Aberdour before continuing into the East Neuk of Fife. We stop in the town of Anstruther, home of the Scottish Fisheries Museum, then we travel through the villages of Pittenweem, Crail and St. Monans, once thriving fishing centres which were made prosperous by trade within the continent. We arrive in the beautiful medieval town of St. Andrews in time for lunch. Here you can enjoy a walk around the town, where Prince William met Kate, home to the oldest university in Scotland, famous Cathedral and golf course. Enjoy approximately 2 and a half hours of free time to explore its medieval buildings and wonderful cobbled streets in the centre, and have lunch and refreshments. We then return back to port in time to re-join your cruise ship.

From Edinburgh: St Andrews, Nature Walk & Dunfermline Abbey

8. From Edinburgh: St Andrews, Nature Walk & Dunfermline Abbey

Travel to the town of St Andrews where you'll get a chance to explore St Andrews Cathedral and the historic St Andrews Castle. Get out for a scenic short coastal walk, visit some coastal caves and walk at Loch Leven Nature Reserve before visiting Dunfermline Abbey, the resting location of past Kings and Queens. Depart Edinburgh, Scotland's largest city and travel over the Queensferry crossing and drive along the coast towards the beautiful Coastal town of St Andrews. As you explore, you'll visit beautiful coastal towns and get gorgeous scenic views Arrive on the coast and go for a short walk to Lady's tower and Lighthouse and experience the the Sea breeze and beautiful scenery The town of St Andrews is mainly known for the historic Old Course, golf Course, though there is so much more to see. You'll get the chance to visit St Andrews Castle, St Andrews Cathedral and walk the streets of this historic town. You'll also, have time for a delicious lunch at one of many places in St Andrews After some lunch, you'll leave St Andrews behind and travel to Loch Leven nature Reserve for a lovely nature walk where you'll hopefully get the chance to see some wildlife Then there's the historic Dunfermline Abbey, resting location of Scottish Kings and Queens and dating back almost a 1000 years ago From here, you'll travel back to Edinburgh, where your Scotland Tour Guide will drop you of at the same location you were picked up.

Other Sightseeing Options in St Andrews Cathedral

Want to discover all there is to do in St Andrews Cathedral? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about St Andrews Cathedral

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 352 reviews

brilliant tour, stop of at a seaside place for refreshments then onto st andrews where you can explore for 3 hours! then on the way back to edinburgh stop of at falkland a scottish village. i cant remember the name of the tour guide, but he was very friendly told us lots of info and answered all our questions

Richard was a wonderful guide and really knew his history. We saw a lot of interesting places and the highlight was standing on The Old Course 18th green at St. Andrew’s. Lifetime memories were made.

Great experience with Richard, the tour guide. Only 1.5 hours you get many knowledge about St. Andrew and golf history

A great day trip to St Andrews! We were able to see so much and learn so much about the area from our guide Graham

Great places to visit and an awesome tour driver! Jim was the best! Thanks for an amazing experience!