Located just a short 7 minute drive from the town centre; with its golf courses; award winning beaches; university; and many attractions both ancient and modern. St Andrews is one of the most ancient of Scottish towns and has a special place in history and legend. It could be described as the town which gave Scotland itﾒs patron saint; when a monk named Rule; who lived in Greece; travelled here with his most treasured possession ﾖ a box which contained a human arm; three fingers; a tooth and a kneecap - all relics of St Andrew. Many pilgrims visited his shrine; and his saltire cross has been adopted as the nationﾒs flag. When the cathedral was built in the 12th & 13th centuries; it was the largest building in Scotland. The bishops built the castle for protection; a palace; fortress and prison; that then suffered from 400 years of wars. The university is the oldest in Scotland ﾖ founded 1411. The elegant ivy-clad buildings; gardens; and college quadrangles can be visited. Athorn tree planted by Mary; Queen of Scots still survives in St. Maryﾒs Quad. For many; it is the golf that brings them here. St. Andrews is the seat of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club; the town has 7 courses - including the famous Old Course; beloved by champions past and present-many golf shops; and the British Golf Museum which is full of interesting exhibits. Others come for the award winning beaches - scenes for ﾑChariots of Fireﾒ were filmed on the 2 mile long West Sands; and the smaller East Sands is a favourite for sailing and watersports enthusiasts. St. Andrews boasts a fine selection of restaurants; excellent shopping and many visitor attractions and entertainments. The timeless atmosphere of St. Andrews will last in your memory long after you have returned home.