The v & A museum, dundee

Opened in Autumn 2018, this is the first Victoria and Albert museum outside London and the first design museum in Scotland. It is a spectacular architectural feast in itself by architect Kengo Kuma, his first building in the U.K. This world class exhibition space is a ground breaking and exciting addition to Scotland’s cultural richness. And it’s about 25-30 minutes drive from St Andrews.

Whisky, beer and gin tours

Fife boasts a long tradtition of brewing and distilling and there has been a significant renaissance in recent years. There are now distilleries at Kingsbarns, Lindores and Eden Mill dedicated to creating scotch whisky. Tours and tastings are available.. Eden Mill is also home to assorted varieties of local gins and beers and the St Andrews Brewing Company has a dedicated pub in town to sample their wide selection of ales.

Special seasonal festivals

At certain times of year, the region is host to some unique festivals and celebrations

April: Kate Kennedy parade – a magnificent pageant, with famous characters from local history parading through the streets, re-enacted in period dress by members of the university kate kennedy club and local people

May: Artists open houses – an enormous array of artists across a wide range of mediums open their homes and workshops for visitors to explore and view

June: Hidden gardens – run by the St Andrews Preservation Trust, with just a small admission charge, you can discover unseen private gardens, some of them astonishingly large, which otherwise you would not believe could be nestling in the heart of the bustling town

June: Crail food festival – immerse yourself in local food and drink with chef demonstrations, producers selling their goods and a relaxed festival vibe, as you roam a picturesque seaside town

July: St Andrews Highland games – help on the last Sunday in July, these games have grown to be one of the foremost games of Fife, if not Scotland

August: Pittneweem arts festival, falling in early august, discover works exhibited informally by local artists while exploring the picturesque fishing village

September: Dundee flower and food festival- held on the first weekend of the month at Camperdown park, Dundee, this huge three day long event attracts an enormous array of producers, chefs doing cookery demonstrations, gardening competitions and fun for all the family

November: Savour St Andrews – a month long festival organised by the chefs, restaurants and hotels of the surrounding area, collaborating on a series of various events. Highlights are the Street Food festival, held on the first Sunday of the month; and the four course dinner to mark St Andrews day, bringing the festival to spectacular close.

FALKLAND PALACE 

The Royal Palace of Falkland, set in the heart of a unique medieval village, was the country residence and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs, including Mary, Queen of Scots. Built between 1501 and 1541, the palace is an extremely fine example of Renaissance architecture. It includes the exceptionally beautiful Chapel Royal, and is surrounded by internationally renowned gardens, built in the 1950s. The Royal Tennis Court, reputedly the world’s oldest, is still in use today.

Gardens

The Original Botanic Garden was founded by the University of St. Andrews in 1889 in the precincts of St. Mary’s College by a group of enthusiasts led by Dr John Wilson

The Garden is recognised and registered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and botanical and horticultural research is carried out there. It is well worth a visit.

St Andrews Cathedral

Entry to the cathedral grounds is free, though access to the visitors’ museum and St. Rule’s Tower requires a fee or membership in Historic Scotland.

The visitors’ centre houses the famous St. Andrews Sarcophagus, perhaps the finest example of Pictish carving in existence.

Today the cathedral grounds are an interesting and peaceful environment in which to contemplate the events of the last millenium. Grave stones of many prominent local people, statesmen, clerics and golfers are to be found there. There is also a haunted tower in which it is alleged the “White Lady of St. Andrews” was buried.

Secret Bunker

Only a ten minute drive from St Andrews, hidden beneath a Scottish farmhouse, a tunnel leads to Scotland’s secret bunker. 24,000 square feet of secret accommodation on two levels, 100 feet underground. This was where the government and military commanders would have run the country should we have been attacked during the cold war.
A fascinating day out for old and young alike.

Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther

This award-winning National Museum tells the story of the Scottish fishing industry from the earliest times to the present. With many model and actual boats, fishing gear, photographs, paintings and tableaux on display, as well as a new ‘Zulu’ gallery just open, a visit to the Museum makes for an exceptional day out.

Hill of Tarvit Mansion House and Garden, Cupar

The present house was virtually rebuilt in 1906 by Sir Robert Lorimer for Mr F B Sharp to form a suitable setting for his notable collection which includes French, Chippendale-style and vernacular furniture, Dutch paintings and pictures by Raeburn and Ramsay, Flemish tapestries and Chinese porcelain and bronzes. The interior is very much in the Edwardian fashion. The formal gardens to the south were also designed by Lorimer to form an appropriate setting for the house.  The mansion house features a restored Edwardian laundry and hosts regular exhibitions of local artists’ work. There is also a path to a hilltop panoramic indicator with fantastic views of the surrounding Fife countryside.