21st March, 2026
Set below the dramatic clifftop ruins of St Andrews Castle, Castle Sands tidal pool has long been a cherished place to swim, gather and connect with the sea. Beautiful, bracing and deeply woven into local life, it’s a spot that captures the spirit of the coastline – and one the community is now working hard to protect for generations to come.
After a century’s exposure to the winds and waves of the North Sea, the pool, or its stonework perimeter, is beginning to look a little the worse for wear. This has not gone unnoticed, especially among some of the town’s more committed cold‑water swimmers, many of whom can be found braving the elements at Castle Sands most mornings. Linda Anne Beaulieu, a St Andrews community stalwart, was among that number until her sudden passing in 2025. As co‑founder of The Hamish Foundation, a charitable organisation that raises funds for local community projects, she had taken it upon herself to oversee the restoration of this much‑loved landmark.
“Linda Anne was St Andrews born and bred,” says her best friend and fellow Hamish Foundation co‑founder, Debbie MacCallum. “She lived in a beautiful cottage on The Scores overlooking the tidal pool for 40 years, so she watched it slowly deteriorate. She was so passionate about its restoration, which is why we have launched the Castle Sands Forever campaign to ensure her vision is carried forward.”
The project aims to rebuild damaged stonework – including the sluice gate that was damaged in a storm two years ago – install handrails on the steep path leading to the beach and dredge the pool to clear decades of debris. “If you look at old photos of the pool it used to be much bigger,” says Debbie. “But over the years, so much sand has been washed into it. We can’t actually get any machinery down there, so we’re going to have to dredge it by hand. That will be a day where a group of us just barrow the sand out above the high‑water mark, which should return the pool to its original size.”
Thankfully, there should be no shortage of volunteers. The project is being backed by local women’s swimming group Bob & Blether – regular visitors to the pool, which at the last count had at least 140 members. Likewise, the University of St Andrews Wild Saints swimming group, which also frequents the pool, can count over 400 swimmers in its ranks. And it’s a favourite spot for the Old Course Hotel’s two cold‑water swimming instructors.
“Castle Sands is our home,” says Jamie Craig‑Gentles, co‑founder of Bob & Blether. “We swim here at sunrise, sunset, even moonlight. It’s about community and wellbeing. Restoring the pool would make a huge difference. At low tide, there’s often not enough water to swim safely.”
Debbie and the team are working closely with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, Fife Council, Marine Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland to ensure the renovations are true to the original site. “Many of the other tidal pools along the East Neuk – Pittenweem, St Monans and Cellardyke – have received funding to upgrade and improve them, and they’ve got thriving communities of swimmers. I’d say Castle Sands is one of the most beautiful places in the world to swim when you look at that wonderful backdrop. It’s a very emotional place. It means so much to so many people and it’s just a tiny little pool.”
The project, which aims to raise £65,000 to £85,000, fits neatly into the town’s push to become a year‑round wellbeing destination. “There’s more and more pressure on this little town of ours,” says Debbie. “So it’s about how do we protect what we have, keep it, restore it and make it as attractive and as safe as possible, but without losing its magic. That’s the key.”
To donate to Castle Sands Forever, visit justgiving.com/campaign/castlesandstidpool
