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St Andrews Castle, the ruined gatehouse range and tower on the green above the sea.
Fife

St Andrews Castle

The ruined castle of the bishops of St Andrews on the cliffs above the sea, with a rock-cut mine and countermine from a siege of 1546 to 1547.

Welcome

On a rocky headland at the edge of St Andrews, with the sea on three sides, stand the ruins of the castle of the town's bishops and archbishops.

For some 450 years it was their palace, their fortress and at times a state prison, and it played a central part in the turmoil of the Scottish Reformation.

Its most remarkable survival is underground. During the long siege of 1546 and 1547, the attackers began to dig a tunnel through the rock towards the walls, and the defenders dug a countermine to meet them. Both passages can still be explored, crouching through the narrow, rock-cut tunnels. You can also peer down into the bottle dungeon, a pit cut deep into the rock.

Above ground, the grand Hamilton Facade shows the wealth and taste of its builder, and from the walls there are wide views over the sea and the beach below. An audio guide tells the castle's story.

Close byCromarsA fish and chip shop on Union Street in St Andrews, with fish from Peterhead, chips cut fresh each day and a covered terrace outside.3 min by roadSee itBattered fish and chips with tartare sauce and a lemon slice
Before you go

Open every day, 9.30am to 4.45pm.

Tickets and the latest hours from Historic Environment Scotland.

Where
The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AR.
History
450 years.
Look for
The mine and countermine.
Where it is

On the cliffs of The Scores, at the north side of St Andrews above the sea, KY16 9AR.

Close bySt Andrews.
  1. Carved wooden pews line the aisle beneath stained glass windows and vaulted ceilingSt Salvator’s ChapelUnder a mile3 min by road
  2. Glass-fronted students' union building with "Your Union" sign beside a bus stopUniversity QuadThe heart of Scotland’s oldest university, in the town of its largest cathedral.Under a mile3 min by road
  3. St AndrewsSt AndrewsThe old town.Under a mile4 min by road
  4. Stone archway framing the ruined tower and walls of St Andrews CathedralSt Andrews CathedralThe great ruined cathedral along the cliffs.Under a mile3 min by road
  5. St Rule's Tower and cathedral ruins overlooking a walled graveyard in St AndrewsSt Rule’s TowerThe tall tower beside the cathedral.Under a mile4 min by road
Directions
Battered fish and chips with tartare sauce and a lemon sliceRestaurantsCromars0.6 miles
The dining room at Forgan's in St Andrews, long tables under walls of shelves, books and framed pictures.RestaurantsForgan's0.8 miles
Bronze cat statue on a stone plinth beneath bunting flagsAttractionsHamish McHamish Statue0.8 miles
Spoiled Life, FifeCafeSpoiled Life0.8 miles
Floor-to-ceiling shelves of books line a bookshop with globe lights and a sliding ladderAttractionsTopping & Company0.8 miles
Illuminated display panels line a dark museum gallery with glowing floor exhibitsAttractionsThe R&A World Golf Museum0.9 miles
Golden retriever rests by "The Himalayas" putting green sign near St Andrews clubhouseAttractionsThe Himalayas1.1 miles
Golfers on the Old Course at St Andrews, red sandstone hotel behindAttractionsOld Course at St Andrews1.1 miles
A red sandstone hotel with a domed corner tower rises above the rooftops of a coastal town, dune grass and a sandy beach in the foreground.AttractionsSt Andrews West Sands1.7 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

The black timber cabin's exterior, with a chimney above the roofline and a freestanding bath standing on the decking below.Airdit
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Fife
  • 7 miles from St Andrews Castle
Free 25–27 OctAn orange leather sofa draped with a sheepskin faces a stone fireplace beneath a timber ceiling, a staircase rising behind.The Old Stable
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Fife
  • 9 miles from St Andrews Castle
Free 18–20 OctThe Crow’s Nest, FifeThe Crow’s Nest
  • Sleeps 5
  • In Fife
  • 9 miles from St Andrews Castle
Free 2–4 NovFifies, FifeFifies
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Fife
  • 9 miles from St Andrews Castle
Free 1–3 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in FifeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.