Saint Andrews Travel and Tourism Guide

The Royal Burgh of St Andrews is a small town (population 18,000) in the county of Fife on the east coast of Scotland, facing the North Sea, and hosting the oldest university in Scotland. The town is perhaps most famous, however, as the home of golf.

St Andrews was historically the Ecclesiastical capital of Scotland.

The University grew up out of the cathedral, and was founded in 1410, being the oldest university in Scotland, and the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. Today, the University dominates the town, particularly during termtime. The university is often seen as being quite elite, and was the place of education of Prince William, second in line to the British throne.

St Andrews is also seen as the Home of Golf, being the home of the Royal and Ancient, one of the oldest Golf Clubs in the world and the R&A one of game's worldwide ruling bodies

There are a large number of golf courses or links, as coastal courses are properly known. The most famous golf course in the world, the Old Course is located in St Andrews. It hosts the Dunhill Cup each October and, more importantly, the Open Championship every five years with the next scheduled Open to be held in 2010.