St Mary’s Quadrangle
“St Mary’s Quadrangle is very much a hidden gem just off the very busy South Street. The Quad, as it’s known, is the spiritual home of the School of Divinity, and has been since the 16th century, so you get a lot of the students relaxing on the grass between lectures. It is open to the public, and people come in to have picnics, especially in the summer, surrounded by lush lawns, beautiful borders of flowers and stunning, mainly 16th‑century buildings. Here you’ll find one of Scotland’s most notable ‘heritage trees’, a famous hawthorne reputedly planted by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1563. It’s also home to the iconic Holm Oak, which, at approximately 12 feet across, is the largest of its kind in Scotland – it’s a magnificent tree.”
St Andrews Cathedral
“I’ve lived in the St Andrews area for 26 years now, and I’m still discovering new places. The town has a phenomenal religious history. Legend has it that St Rule brought some of St Andrew’s bones to the town in the fourth century – hence its name – which were eventually discovered at the cathedral. Of course, there’s not a great deal left of it, but St Andrews Cathedral was the biggest in Scotland. I only recently went to see the grave of Tom Morris for the first time. He and his father are both buried in the cathedral grounds. It’s great to explore.”
East Sands
“West Sands Beach might get all the headlines but I much prefer East Sands – and so does my dog, a golden retriever that just loves the water. We particularly enjoy the side of the beach by the harbour where you can see all of the little fishing boats. We’ll often grab some fish and chips and head down to East Sands, sit on the harbour wall or the end of the pier, and eat them there. On a peaceful summer’s day, there’s honestly nowhere in the world I would rather be.”
Logies Lane (Hamish McHamish)
“I’m a cat lover so, naturally, a fan of legendary local feline Hamish McHamish. The ginger tom became well known for spending time around South Street, greeting people and making them smile. He brought the community together, as locals and visitors alike felt connected to him, and his story shows that St Andrews isn’t only about history and buildings – it’s also about character, community and small moments that make people happy. Hamish, who passed away in 2014, had his own Facebook page and a book written about him, Hamish McHamish of St Andrews: Cool Cat About Town. Visitors can see a bronze statue of the famous kitty on Logies Lane.”
Royal and Ancient Clubhouse
“The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse is one of the most recognisable buildings in golf, and has been the backdrop to so many iconic moments in the history of The Open. In my role, it is a great privilege to care for the club’s historic artefacts, some of which are over 250 years old. I’m based nearby at The R&A World Golf Museum, and we see many visitors – golf enthusiasts of all ages – from all over the world who have made a once‑in‑a‑lifetime journey to St Andrews. It is fantastic to see them enjoying our galleries and sharing their stories of golf on our Memories Wall, which shows how much the sport means to people from all walks of life.”
