Scotland 8th Day — July 6, 2008

St. Andrews in the Kingdom of Fife

Left the flat at 8:00am to be in St. Andrews by 10:00am. We HAD to be there for the once-a-week, in-depth tour of the "Old Course." This tour is only run in the summer and on Sundays, when the course is closed to players, but open to the public.

We made it there a little past 9:00am with the help of "Miss Navi" — our name for the TomTom navigational device that Alistaire lent to us yesterday. It came in VERY handy, since it rained all the way there—and it she speaks in "British" english!

Yes, another crappy day. When we arrived at St. Andrews, the wind was blowing HARD, visibility was bad, about 55 degrees with horizontal rain — and it pretty much stayed that way the whole day. It was grueling, but worth it. Our guide, "Jimmy" (it seems like every other lad in Scotland is named, Jimmy) gave us a 3 1/2 hour tour of just about every hole of St. Andrews "Old Course." If you don't know it already, the Old Course is the oldest golf course in the world, dating back to 1506. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have both won the British Open here twice. Green fees are £130 to play the course (that's $260), so it would be a hefty expense if the weather wasn't cooperative. We'll see if the wee devil decides to part with that much money for a 4-hour bragging right (I'd rather he not, and say he did).


Our Guide "Jimmy"


Jonny in the "Road Hole Bunker"



In front of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews


On the famous "Swilken Bridge"


Standing in front of the 17th Road Hole Tee Shot


Jonny in front of "Hell" bunker (yikes!)



The beach in front of St. Andrews where they filmed "Chariots of Fire" (Jonny will attempt to recreate the run on a later day, when the sun is out)

After the tour, and a much-needed lunch, we walk down the street towards the ruins of St. Andrews cathedral. It's all very ghostly and misty amongst the gravestones. It is 157 steps up St. Rule's tower, so we give it a go. Supposedly, it is the best view in St. Andrews....


St. Rules tower

Unfortunately, the view is covered in fog, so all we can see is the two church spires. We now know that we MUST come back on another day to see what this really should look like.


Our limited view atop St. Rule's tower

Down the street from the cathedral, we walk to the ruins of St. Andrews Castle. Not much of this 12th century castle is left, except a few walls...but what is left is marvelous. Apparently, the site of many sieges, mines were dug underneath the castle to defend it. I brave the underground visit to these mines, which at times you almost have to crawl through. Creepy, but fascinating.

In front on St. Andrew's Castle

The Lassie in front of St. Andrew's Castle


The mine underneath St. Andrew's Castle

Weary, we head back on the hour-and-a-half drive home, as we must return again tomorrow at 7:30am to be in Crail (which is south of St. Andrews), for a 9:20am tee-time. Whew!