From eating to exploring to the very best pub on the town, here is what to do in St. Andrews when you’re not playing golf.
Claire Rogers
Hello, pals, and welcome to a really particular version of the Rogers Report!
I’m going to take you thru my considerably current journey to St. Andrews and inform you all in regards to the enjoyable issues you’ll be able to do when you’re not teeing it up. I spent every week there in October when the GOLF squad lined the Notre Dame teams within the inaugural St. Andrews Links Collegiate. Despite some less-than-ideal climate (I assume that’s what you join when you ebook a visit to St. Andrews!), watching Notre Dame, Georgetown, UNC Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt compete on the Jubilee Course and Old Course was unbelievable.
But there’s additionally loads to do on the town outdoors of playing golf, so I set out to expertise as a lot as I may. Let’s get to it. (Oh, and watch the video beneath!)
The arrival
I traveled with my beautiful pal and coworker, video guru Emma Devine. We took a redeye from Boston to Edinburgh, Scotland. I by some means managed to sleep by means of dinner and breakfast on the aircraft, however I nonetheless managed to arrive in good spirits. Once we landed, we took a cab from the airport to St. Andrews, which was simply over an hour. (There’s additionally a prepare you’ll be able to take to get there.) Our driver weaved his manner by means of the countrysides of Scotland whereas we gawked at quaint properties, farmland and, most significantly, tried to get used to being on the opposite facet of the highway. We arrived at our rental house, which was a few 15-minute stroll from city.
Breakfast
After dropping our stuff on the rental home (and getting in a fast energy nap), Emma and I headed over to the Mitchell. According to my good friend, St. Andrews pupil Logan Smith, it’s a spot individuals have sturdy emotions about. I liked it. In truth, I liked it a lot I went again once more later within the week. The service was superb, and the proprietor took time to introduce himself and gave us ideas for spending a number of days on the town. I acquired the eggs benedict, a latte and a scone for breakfast/dessert. That’s one thing I liked about St. Andrews. People have been at all times having a chunk of cake or some type of deal with on the finish of breakfast, and it’s a follow I consider needs to be adopted all over the place.
Claire Rogers
Once the St. Andrews Links Collegiate started, we have been on a bit extra of a time crunch, so we went to Munch. It’s extra of a grab-and-go place, however they’ll make you an unbelievable breakfast sandwich that’ll maintain you full for hours. They’re identified for his or her bacon rolls, however I can verify something you get there can be good.
Lunch
Lunch was undoubtedly my favourite meal of the day whereas in St. Andrews. There’s nothing higher than warming up with a latte and pub meals. Ham’s Hame Pub and Grill is correct subsequent to the Old Course, which might be my No. 1 lunch suggestion. Emma and I additionally went to the Criterion in addition to Northpoint Cafe, also called the place the place Kate Middleton and Will would meet up for espresso whereas they have been college college students.
Claire Rogers
Dinner
Our first evening on the town, the GOLF workforce headed to Forgan’s for dinner and I spent the remainder of the week in search of a dessert that competed with their deep-fried Mars bar sundae. As the host of The Scoop, I take into account if my civic responsibility to report on the very best treats on any given work journey, and I’m excited to award Forgan’s with the No. 1 dessert on the town. Go there, get that sundae and thank me later. Dessert apart, my No. 1 dinner suggestion can be downstairs on the Rusacks hotel. I went twice: the primary evening, my coworkers and I loved a pleasant Italian dinner. The subsequent evening, we went with their Mediterranean menu and sat by the home windows whereas the solar set on the Old Course. Finally, we went to the Adamson, which is on the fancier facet.
Claire Rogers
Side observe: as somebody whose siblings have very extreme meals allergy symptoms, I used to be pleasantly shocked to see how accommodating all the eating places and pubs have been concerning allergy symptoms. I’m unsure if it’s mandated or what, however each waiter requested if anybody on the desk had allergy symptoms earlier than taking our orders.
Drinks
I’ll break the unlucky information to you all proper now that I’m not a beer drinker. I merely don’t prefer it. Luckily for you, my coworker Tim Reilly lined many of the pubs on the town. I’ll, nevertheless, share what bars I went to whereas on the town and clarify the ambiance to the very best of my non-beer-drinking skills.
We headed to the Dunvegan for a drink to finish our first evening on the town. It’s well-known for having framed footage of golfers all around the partitions (ceiling included), and I’ve seen so many footage of this place through the years. I’m not exaggerating when I say this was the good pub I’ve ever been to. I felt like I used to be dwelling in a golfer’s model of an I Spy ebook. And the corporate is ideal. The firm at all the pubs in St. Andrews is ideal, actually — individuals of all ages who’re there as a result of they love golf. If I have been to return to St. Andrews, this may be the primary place I’d go once more.
Claire Rogers
We additionally went to Molly Malones one evening, which I’d advocate to a youthful crowd. It’s stuffed with college students, so in case you’re learning overseas or on a visit in your early 20s, this place is for you. It was within the basement there that I bumped into my household good friend and St. Andrews knowledgeable, Logan Smith.
But essentially the most scenic place to have a drink in St. Andrews is unquestionably on the rooftop at the Rusacks. There’s a bit placing inexperienced outdoors, and the highest flooring is lined with home windows to provide you with a panoramic view of the Old Course and past.
St. Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club
One of my favourite elements of my time in St. Andrews was playing the Himalayas course with Eve and Sylvia, two members of the St. Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club. I like studying about historical past, however I like studying about historical past when golf is concerned, and that’s sort of the entire level of St. Andrews. The Ladies’ Putting Club was based in 1867. At the time, there weren’t many leisure actions open to girls, so lots of the daughters and sisters of members of the Royal and Ancient started to share a small placing inexperienced with the caddies at St. Andrews. The Ladies’ Putting Club was based to give the native girls a spot of their very own and has been thriving ever since. Today, there’s 200 members, all girls, and the placing course holds weekly matches and competitions from April to September.
What’s even higher is that gradual play is just not tolerated on the Himalayas course. Sylvia, Eve and I acquired across the 18-hole monitor in about 20 minutes. The routing adjustments every day, and the structure is tremendous hilly, which makes for a enjoyable match. Just don’t let the flags contact the bottom when you’re there; it’s frowned upon.
Activities!
The climate was tough when we arrived in St. Andrews. Not simply unhealthy for somebody coming from New England, however even unhealthy in St. Andrews phrases: They closed the golf programs for a day due to the wind and rain. While this was undoubtedly a bummer, it offered the proper alternative for us to try the St. Andrews Aquarium. They’ve acquired over 120 species there, and whereas many of the displays are inside, you’ll be able to head outdoors to watch the penguins be fed and take a look at the unbelievable views of the coast. Unlike most golf tournaments, the tickets you get to the aquarium are good for a complete day. That means you’ll be able to re-enter, is unquestionably a plus in case you’re touring with youngsters who might have a break.
Once the climate cleared up, Emma and I headed to the St. Andrews Castle. My mother was a third-grade instructor for 25 years, and I attended some subject journeys along with her class as an additional chaperone after I graduated faculty. I couldn’t assist however take into consideration how a lot her college students would really like a spot like this: the museum inside was pleasant for all ages; not too overwhelming and it didn’t drag on. By the time we noticed the entire thing, we have been prepared to go outdoors and take a look at the fort itself.
Claire Rogers
After our journey to the fort, we walked over to the Cathedral to try the stays of the church and the burial grounds. We discovered the graves of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, the place a number of golf balls have been positioned close by. While the cemetery wasn’t crowded, there have been a number of different individuals there to see the identical factor as us.
Claire Rogers
There’s loads of locations to store when you’re in St. Andrews, too. I popped into various shops to get souvenirs for relations in addition to an additional layer so I may correctly face the chilly. My favourite cease was the Golf Shop of St. Andrews, the place you should purchase the crewneck sweatshirt model of the sweater Tiger Woods wore on the 1995 Open Championship.
Although it wouldn’t be a correct journey with out an ice cream cease, so we made positive to go to Jannettas Gelateria whereas on the town. Jannettas has been in enterprise since 1908, so it’s secure to say they’ve their recipes down. They’ve acquired a full wall that lists the flavors, and it has all the things from essentially the most primary beloved flavors to the extra adventurous. I went with cookie dough in a cone, which I’ve realized is sweet all over the place, however much more so when you’re on the Home of Golf.
Emma Devine
And lastly, we walked across the quad on the University of St. Andrews (Sallies Quad), which I can’t advocate sufficient. It was lovely.
Claire Rogers
Sunday on the Old Course
And now, the very best for final. The Old Course is closed for play on Sundays, however open as a public park. Visitors and locals fill the fairways to stroll their canine, take photographs on the Swilcan Bridge, play catch and even go for a jog. The most iconic, historic place in golf turns into a large leisure spot as soon as every week and the individuals (and canine watching) there’s second to none.
Claire Rogers
Takeaways!
First, the city is so walkable. You don’t want a automobile to get round, however put together to get your steps in. Next up is how age-inclusive it’s. We noticed dad and mom with younger youngsters in addition to adults with their grandchildren strolling round city. There’s one thing for everybody there. And lastly, deliver the additional jacket. You gained’t remorse it.
