Quick Details
The home of golf, beautiful beaches and the best fish and chips in Scotland — what more could you want from a day out? On this tour, you explore the great Kingdom of Fife and discover its fascinating history and wonderful scenery.
Head north to Fife…
This tour is all about Fife, and to get there we cross the Firth of Forth — this is your perfect chance to get a photograph of the famous Forth Rail Bridge. This stunning example of Victorian engineering was opened in 1890. It took nearly 4,000 men 3.5 years to build it. With its triple cantilever design, it is the biggest one of its kind in Britain and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. This bridge was also voted Scotland’s greatest man-made wonder in 2016.
Sample the delights of Falkland…
We travel to Falkland, and you’ll be able to walk around this beautiful village, where time seems to have stood still. Fans of ‘Outlander’ will recognise it as post-war Inverness — the Bruce Fountain here plays a vital role as it’s where Claire sees Jamie Fraser’s ghost. You can browse the craft shops, and there is an option of visiting the beautiful Falkland Palace and Gardens*, a royal palace of the Scottish Kings. It was the favourite retreat of the Stuart dynasty, especially Mary Queen of Scots. It also has the oldest tennis courts in use anywhere in the world. Follow in the footsteps of monarchs when you walk around the amazing formal gardens and be sure to check out the unique willow labyrinth situated within the grounds.
Golf and so much more…
St Andrews is the star attraction of this tour, and you’ll have ample time here to explore the town and its various sites on your own. As the spiritual home of golf, it is a must-see for all devotees of the game, The Royal and Ancient Gold Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest in the world. On certain days, you can even walk this golf course. Otherwise, why not try out the Himalayas, the famous mini golf course which lies adjacent to the Old Course?
Follow in the footsteps of royalty…
St Andrews is also home to the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge, commencing teaching in 1413. It is most famous for being where Prince William and Kate Middleton (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) first met and studied. You can take the time to walk in their shoes, taking in the stunning gothic architecture of St Salvator’s Quad and St Salvator’s Chapel.
Visit the ancient cathedral and castle…
You can also explore St Andrews Cathedral. Built in 1158, it became the centre of the Medieval Catholic Church in Scotland and was the largest cathedral in Scotland. For stunning views of St Andrews and across Fife, why not scale the 33-m St Rule’s Tower? This site, which is said to be the site of the remains of St Andrew, has been used as a place of worship and pilgrimage since the 700s. It now lies in ruins, as does St Andrews Castle. This castle is the ideal place to discover medieval siege warfare, marvel at the stunning façade, and discover its turbulent 450-year-old history.
Explore stunning beaches…
Why not walk along Castle Sands to take in the beauty of these ruins from the cliffs below? Be sure to walk along the pier to get a great view of the whole town. The town also boasts several stunning beaches, one of which, West Sands, you may recognise from ‘Chariots of Fire’.
Get up close to sea life…
There is also an aquarium which is well worth a visit. See sea life and much more: Meerkats, penguins and sharks are all housed in this aquarium, as well as of course over 100 species of fish. Take time to explore the plethora of great cafes and shops, walk the ancient cobbled streets and immerse yourself in the beauty and vibrancy of this historic university town.
Enjoy the beauty of the East Neuk…
After your photo stop at the bridge, you’ll journey on to Fife. Here you can explore the East Neuk. This is an often-forgotten corner of Fife that has some particularly beautiful historic fishing villages and stunning coastal scenery. You’ll have the chance to photograph Anstruther on our way along the coastal route. Anstruther is also famous for its fish and chips! You can also visit the Wee Couper of Fife – a whisky and gin specialist. Take the opportunity to experience local whisky with a tasting and learn all you can from the experts! There is also a good selection of independent shops and coffee shops to look around, as well as the beautiful beach. Anstruther also boasts a beautiful working fishing harbour. Experience an authentic Scottish business in action and see where your food comes from!
Look out to the Isle of May…
You will also see exceptional views of the town and towards the Isle of May, a national nature reserve maintained by Scottish Natural Heritage. This island is currently home to seabirds and seals, but in the past was a hiding spot for smuggled goods as well as being inhabited by monks. This island, full of secrets, is a must-see.
– It was a perfect day trip !! The sun was out and we had the best tour guide!! Thank you Stephen J for an amazing day tour.. Your knowledge of St Andrews and Falkland was out of this world !! We hope to catch another tour in the next 6 months!!
– Our driver, (lord) John, was really good at guiding us through the day, telling us interesting stories and keeping us entertained. We had a good amount of time to explore St Andrews.
Nice experience, would definitely recommend it!
– Had a great time on the St. Andrews, Falkland, and Kingsbarn Whisky Distillery tour with Fergie as our guide! A very laid-back tour with plenty of time to explore at each stop. Getting coffee in the coastal village of Anstruther, learning how whisky is made, strolling around St. Andrews on a Sunday afternoon, and finishing off with a tour of the Falkland Castle, this was the perfect way to fit a lot in a day trip without feeling rushed or sitting in a bus for long periods of time. Fergie was great as our guide, as he provided interesting and insightful commentary throughout the day. Would tour again with this company in the future!
– Jamie did an amazing job on this tour !! And he is a good luck charm when it comes weather and traffic both that can be challenges here in Scotland ! This is the perfect day trip where you are not in the van for excessive amounts of time. St. Andrews is breath taking as is Falkland Palace. The Kingsbarns Distillery is a pleasant stop as well. Highly recommend this tour and Jamie as well – he provides a perfect amount of history and Scottish music along the way and welcomely answers all your questions! I will choose this company again when I return in the future.
