Discover the Allure of Scotland’s East Coast: A Private Journey to St Andrews
A stunning adventure on Scotland’s East Coast where history and legend collide. Cross the Forth Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife and visit Falkland Palace, a regular haunt of Mary, Queen of Scots. Then it’s time to discover St Andrews – explore the medieval cathedral and castle, walk through the oldest university in Scotland and head to the Old Course to stand on the iconic Swilcan Bridge. And along the way, visit the charming fishing villages of Anstruther, Crail and Pittenweem before returning to Edinburgh.
Book this incredible scenic and historic adventure now!
Itinerary
Private St Andrews & Fife Coastal Villages Day Tour
Golf, Castles & East Coast Scenery
This itinerary is entirely adaptable and can be customised around your preferences. Created to highlight the gems of Scotland’s east coast, it weaves together storied landmarks, striking seascapes, and vibrant fishing hamlets.
Pick-up from your accommodation (Edinburgh)
Meet your private driver guide
Depart crossing into the Kingdom of Fife
The Forth Bridges
Drive across the Firth of Forth
Next, stop to view the famous Forth Rail Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Scotland’s most iconic engineering landmarks.
Falkland & Falkland Palace
Stroll through the enchanting village of Falkland.
- Explore Falkland Palace, a favourite of Mary, Queen of Scots.
- Wander along cobbled lanes framed by centuries-old architecture.
- Outlander filming location (Inverness scenes)
St Andrews Cathedral & Castle
Arrive in St Andrews, Scotland’s illustrious coastal gem.
- Visit the weathered ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and explore the cliff-top remains of St Andrews Castle, with breathtaking sea views.
- Discover centuries of Scottish religious and royal history.
The University of St Andrews
Walk through Scotland’s oldest university
Founded in 1413 and rich in tradition
Famous for its royal connections
The Old Course & Swilcan Bridge
Visit the home of golf.
- Walk alongside the Old Course
- Photo stop at the iconic Swilcan Bridge
- Optional visit to the British Golf Museum
West Sands Beach
Soak in a relaxed walk along this storied stretch of shoreline, made famous by Chariots of Fire, with sweeping views across the North Sea.
Lunch Stop – St Andrews or Anstruther
Time to enjoy a relaxed lunch
Optional stop in Anstruther, famous for traditional fish and chips
The East Neuk of Fife
Uncover the quaint allure of Scotland’s prettiest coastal hamlets.
- Anstruther – Busy harbour and seaside charm
- Crail – Historic harbour and traditional cottages
- Pittenweem – Working fishing village with local character
Return Journey
Scenic drive back to Edinburgh
Drop off at your accommodation.
A closer look at the home of golf
Even if you have never held a club, the Old Course makes more sense once someone points out what you are looking at. The first and last holes share one enormous fairway running back towards the town, with the Swilcan Burn cutting across it and the grey stone clubhouse of the R&A standing over the opening tee. The eighteenth green finishes at the edge of the street with hotel windows above it, so the closing hole of the most famous course in the world plays out in front of anyone who happens to be walking past.
The hole most golfers want pointing out is the seventeenth, the Road Hole, played over the corner of a hotel with a road and a stone wall waiting behind the green. It is often called the hardest par four in championship golf, and watching a group come through it explains why. Carrying on down the coast towards Crail, the road passes Kingsbarns, whose fairways run along the shoreline, so the golf keeps going well after the town has ended. Fife sits on the drier eastern side of the country, and our notes on the best time of year to visit Scotland set out how the seasons differ.
