Our guide to holidaying in St Andrews

St Andrews holidays with Elderburn Lodges

St Andrews is a charming coastal town rich in history and beauty. Known as the home of golf and with Scotland’s oldest university, this lovely Scottish town has great architecture, stunning beaches and a vibrant local culture. In this guide, we’ll help you make the most of your St Andrews holidays, with tips on where to explore and what to see during your stay with us in Fife…

The lounge with lovely views in Lodge 2 at Elderburn Luxury Lodges
Enjoy a peaceful retreat only 10 minutes from St Andrews with Elderburn Lodges

Where to stay

First things first, come and stay with us at Elderburn Lodges! Our self-catering lodges are only 3 miles from St Andrews, which is a quick 10-minute drive. Here, you get to enjoy the peace of the Fife countryside, while being in easy reach of the town centre. We have 5 beautiful holiday cottages to choose from. Our smaller lodges sleep up to 4 guests, while our larger lodges can accommodate between 6 and 8. We have one accessible lodge and one with a hot tub. All are luxurious and spacious, and we have options for couples, families and large groups. So, whatever type of holiday you are planning in St Andrews, we can help.

Eating and drinking

Our lodges are self-catering, which means you can choose whether to eat in or go out. If eating in, there’s lots of fresh, local produce for you to try. Visit these local farm shops and sample some of the amazing tastes and flavours that St Andrews has to offer. With a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable dining area in your lodge, you can enjoy a home-from-home experience. On days when you’d rather eat out, there are so many wonderful cafes, pubs and restaurants in St Andrews. We’ve listed some of our favourites here. If you’d like a more personalised recommendation, simply ask us before or during your stay.

St Andrews Castle ruins on rocky North Sea coast overlooking Castle Sands beach in St Andrews Fife Scotland UK with purple geraniums
Explore the ruins of St Andrews Castle

Things to see and do

There is so much for you to discover in St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife. It is a spectacular part of Scotland, with a rich history and beautiful scenery. We have written a helpful things to do guide and we are constantly adding to it. This shows you all the best local attractions, historical sites, outdoor activities, walking trails, beaches, whisky distilleries and so much more! We’ve also recommended some of the nearby towns and villages, which are great for a day trip.

The home of golf

St Andrews is revered as the home of golf, and playing here is a bucket-list experience. The Old Course, with its legendary Swilcan Bridge and Road Hole, is open to the public via ballot or advance booking. Even if you don’t play, visiting the World Golf Museum and walking the course at sunset is a must. Golfers can also explore other excellent courses on St Andrews Links and at Kingsbarns. You can find out more in our golf guide.

The Old Course golf course on St Andrews Links
The Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world!

Visiting the university

Founded in 1413, the University of St Andrews is Scotland’s oldest and steeped in tradition. The campus is spread throughout the town, making it easy to explore on foot. You can follow the Town and Gown Walk to take in the stunning architecture, including St Salvator’s Chapel and St Mary’s Quadrangle. The walk also includes amazing historical sites like St Andrews Castle and Cathedral.

Sighteeing tours

If you’d like to see more of Scotland during your stay with us, travel tour companies such as St Andrews Luxury Travel can help. They can pick you up at our lodges and take you on a bespoke private tours to explore top attractions, Outlander locations, museums and galleries, whisky distilleries and much more besides. Contact them here to arrange your private tour.

The iconic buildings and grass fields of the quadrangle at the University of St Andrews in Scotland
St Andrews University has some stunning architecture

We hope this guide will help you plan your St Andrews holidays, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Elderburn Lodges for a visit to remember. If you need any further suggestions or you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book your stay today!