Grab your golf clubs and pick a caddie…we’re heading to the St. Andrew’s Links today! 🏌🏼♀️🏌🏻⛳️
Welcome back to my Studies in Wanderlust: Scotland series! If you need to get caught up on the adventures, here is the link to previous adventures!
Ready to go? Great!
Out of the two weeks that I was in Scotland, it only rained twice. (Others that have done this particular study abroad program in the past reported many consecutive days of rain, so we definitely felt fortunate that we lucked out in the weather department.) One of those days was when we went to St. Andrews, and the other when we went to Glasgow. At the Links, it was on and off between gray skies, sprinkles, and downpours. Scotland weather is super temperamental (much like Florida!), so it’s best to be prepared with rain gear.
St. Andrew’s Links (specifically the Old Course) has been regarded as The Home of Golf. Having been played on since the 15th century, it is a premiere location for golfing legends to practice their craft, compete during Open Championships or the Women’s British Open (among many other championships), and to hang out in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and surrounding pubs in this historical city. The course is located in the county of Fife, along the northeast coast, and boasts beautiful views of St. Andrew’s Bay and the North Sea.
One of the most famous icons at The Old Course, and in the golfing world in general, is the Swilcan Bridge. This 700 year old bridge serves as a gateway between the first and eighteenth holes. Its original purpose was to get livestock and sheep across the Swilcan Burn without getting them wet. Today, it is not just a fantastic photo opportunity for those who visit the Links, but also a chance to retrace the footsteps of legendary golfers from centuries ago.
Once finished with the Links, we all split up to explore the town. Everywhere you turn, you’ll find more tributes to golf and how much of an impact it has on the town.
I was especially excited to visit St. Andrews University, as I was on a Prince William and Duchess Catherine kick long before this adventure. Armed with the knowledge that they had both attended the University, I knew I had to traipse the grounds. With students away on summer recess, it wasn’t crowded at all.
And, for all the Will and Kate fans…Northpoint Cafe is where Kate met Wills…for coffee! Visiting here was a nonnegotiable for me, so I treated myself to breakfast:
The ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral and Castle were also up for exploration. Lisa and I headed over for pictures and mine spelunking:
Wrapped up the day (and waited out a patriculary heavy downpour) at Chariots Bar, which was appropriately named after the movie, Chariots of Fire:
Up next: Free Day in Edinburgh! High tea and ghost tours!
