Visit to The home of Golf--St. Andrews

Even though many people probably think I'm nuts, I (Kathy) really like to watch golf matches (that's a solid 50% of this couple!).  Especially the majors.  And through the years, I've been enamored of the Scottish tradition of golf, particularly at St. Andrews.  Now St Andrews is not only a huge series of 18 hole golf courses located smack dab on the shores of the Eastern edge of Scotland.  It is also a college town of international repute, and has a lot of ancient buildings to explore including a castle and abbey. 

So we left Caroline's and drove an hour through the countryside.  The golf complex was very confusing, but we found our way to a parking lot by the driving range and got great directions and maps. We hopped on a shuttle and were whisked up to the most "Royal and Ancient" golf club of St Andrews.  We were blessed with another sunny day and really enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere and watching golfers tee off who had made reservations a year in advance. The "Old Course" is sandwiched between the town and the sea.  A really stunning setting!

Such an iconic setting.

Yay, I made it!

The golf course on the sea

Kayakers and instructors

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.  Members Only

Starting the game you've waited a year for.

We strolled along watching golfers, went to the ocean and watched kayakers, dog walkers and tourists, stopped at a cafe and had a nosh and finally walked along the old course back to our car.  Wow, what a day.

Starters building.  Looking down the first hole

View from our coffee cup

Shoreline.  This faces East into the North Sea

Nice place to take a break

Hotel next to the clubhouse

Clubhouse from a distance.  So distinguished looking

On the left, the city.  On the right, the golf course.

The famous Swilkin Bridge.  Where many famous golfers have been photographed and Tom Watson said his goodbye to St. Andrews in 2015

A not at all famous golfer

Pot bunker and person enjoying a "good walk spoiled"

Watch out for golf balls and pick up your dog poop!

But we decided to drive further in to town to see more sights.  We stopped in front of the college and walked toward the ruins of the castle. 

St Andrews University is really old and filled with gorgeous buildings, arches and courtyards

This is a view down the street to the ruins of an Abbey.  The protestants and catholics had a series of battles through the ages and destroyed each others castles and religious monuments. 

These are the ruins of St. Andrew's Castle.  This has been the site of some kind of castle since the 1200's. 

Remains of the moat

Entrance

The castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times. 

View of the Abbey from the castle

After having such a lovely day, it was a real anticlimax to turn around and head back to Edinburgh.  We had booked the night at an Ibis budget hotel by the airport that turned out to be in the middle of an office park (Budget it was.....It was the first time I ever saw a hotel room with the shower placed next to the bed.  Sleep walking is a real no-no when there is the possibility that you can drown).  There were no dinner possibilities except the food court at a mall.  The promised 2 minute walk turned out to be 15 and by the time we got there the mall was closing and the only choices were a noodle place and a Burger King.  We thought we chose the lesser of two evils, but we should have gone with the Whopper. 

Too tired to eat.  Thank goodness!  Would YOU eat food that color???

For giving made easy.......(?)

We laughed our way back to our tiny room and snacked on junk and packed to leave the next morning.

Jeff and I loved our trip to Scotland.  We leave knowing that we will have to come back.  There are many more lochs, castles, churches, towns, museums and parks to see and adventures to enjoy.