St Andrews

We explored the historic St Andrews on Saturday, March 6. It was definitely worth the 2 hour drive.

A monument in memory of four martyrs who "in support of the Protestant Faith suffered death by fire at St Andrews."

The Old Course Hotel:

Cooper and Noah romping on the Old Course. Golf has been played here for some 600 years:

The first castle on this site dates from about 1200. Infamous events at the castle include the martydom of George Wishart and the murder of Cardinal Beaton. The castle was destroyed during the Reformation and is now in ruins:

Lunch Break! We stopped at an idyllic spot for some salami sandwiches and pretzels:

St Andrews Cathedral was built around 1160 over St Rule's Church which dates from about 1130. Robert the Bruce was present at the consecration of the Cathedral in 1318. It was destroyed by a mob roused by John Knox's preaching in the town during the Reformation. St Rule's Tower, the most intact structure within the grounds, is visible in the photo below:

The second tower from the right is said to be haunted. Nick got the full story from a Scottish gentleman:

I loved these trees and the fence outlining a quad at St Andrew's University, Scotland's first university founded in 1413.

We ended our day at the beach:

Dun, dun, dun, dun, dun, dun (to the tune "Chariots of Fire"). I hummed it and ran down the beach. Thanks for the tip, Allison!