St Andrews in Scotland – a Complete Vacation Destination
Whatever is the attraction for a traveler to Scotland, St Andrews has it all. This lovely old city has the brightest and driest weather in the country and has always attracted visitors over the centuries. It gets its name from the fact that the relics of the disciple St Andrew were brought here from Constantinople in the 8th century. Castles, golf, museums, university and fishing are all at hand here.
St Andrews Links is the home of golf and golf lovers will want to pay homage to the legendary links that have upheld the finest traditions of the game for over six centuries. One can book a package to play at the Old Course or any of the other five courses or use the golf practice centre and the two clubhouses. In fact the demand is so high that a seventh course is being built here. North America does not recognize it but for the rest of the golf playing world the Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews is the governing body on the rules of golf. The British Golf Museum is another must see on the list of golf addicts.
The University of St. Andrews was founded in 1411 and is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK. There are over seven thousand students here in several disciplines. Students bring in an atmosphere of youth and gaiety in a city which has several historic monuments. St Andrews Castle has some remains that date from around 1200. It was the former Bishops’ Palace, the residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews.
The Fife coastal path leads one to the villages surrounding St Andrews. The pleasures of the cliffs and beaches await you here. Fishing is a sought after pastime but one can view the local ‘catch’ at the sea life centre at St. Andrews Aquarium. Nature lovers can have a field day at the exquisitely laid out Botanic gardens. Craigtoun Country Park is another wonderful place for the family to enjoy a day out together. Miniature golf, model train and an enchanting boating lake with a Dutch Village in the middle are just some of the attractions here. A visit to St .Andrews truly has something for every body.
