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A relaxing and entertaining day out with lots of free time in the medieval city of St. Andrews, home of golf and university home to both Prince William and Kate Middleton, before continuing on to see the picturesque old fishing villages in the East Neuk (corner) of the Kingdom of Fife.
St Andrews and the Fishing Villages of Fife Day Tour with Rabbies (Edinburgh)
Details of the Tour - Full Itinerary
Enjoy a day in the medieval kingdom of Fife and the ancient University city of St. Andrews, home of golf.
We depart from Edinburgh at 09.30 and travel north to South Queensferry on the Firth of Forth. The town is named after the 11th century Queen Margaret who committed her life to improving the welfare of the Scottish people, particularly the church, which later earned her the title 'Saint Margaret of Scotland'. In her day, North of Edinburgh there were two very important churches - St Andrews and Dunfermline, but travelling from Edinburgh across the wide Firth of Forth was difficult and dangerous, so Queen Margaret provided a free ferry for pilgrims, hence the town's name of 'Queen's Ferry'. The ferry remained in existence until the opening of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964 by the present Queen.
From Queensferry we drive up and onto the Forth Road Bridge, which gives us a picturesque view across to one of Scotland's greatest man-made landmarks - the Forth Rail Bridge. At over a mile and a half (2300m) long, the bridge was completed in 1890, and until recently was the longest Cantilever bridge in the world. It is a true testament of Scottish engineering.
Once over the bridge we enter the Kingdom of Fife. Bounded to the south by the wide Firth of Forth, to the north by the Firth of Tay and to the east by the North Sea the area was once a sub-kingdom of the old Pictish realm, a natural peninsula almost cut off from the rest of Scotland, and so remained semi-independent for longer than other parts. Central Fife used to be very poor, until the discovery of coal, while the towns and villages along its coastline were rich from all the trade across the North sea, causing King James VI to describe the area as a 'Beggar's mantle fringed with gold'. The golden fringe he referred to was the East Neuk (or nook, meaning corner), Fife's easternmost stretch of coastline and home to a string of picturesque villages each with its own distinctive character and charm. One of these, Lower Largo, is best known as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk - the real-life Robinson Crusoe and inspiration for Daniel Defoe's novel whilst neighbouring Earlsferry is said to be where MacDuff hid from Shakespeare's Macbeth. We stop in the traditional fishing village of Anstruther (pronounced as 'Enster' locally) where you can stroll along its old cobbled streets and network of little alleyways and wynds or take a walk along the seafront to the harbour.
From Anstruther we continue north to the medieval town of St Andrews. St Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland, and according to legend his remains were washed up on the Fife coast. The shrine became a place of worship for Christian pilgrims from far and wide and the town developed into the religious capital of Scotland complete with a huge Norman Cathedral, the largest in all of Scotland.
Founded in 1160 the Cathedral was devastated first by fire and later by zealous religious reformers who wanted to discourage outward shows of pomp in Christian worship, but the ruins provide a fascinating insight into what it once must have been like. Today St Andrews attracts another type of pilgrim, being famous world-wide as the home of golf and the Mecca for all golfers - the 'Old Course'. The course, founded in 1754, is in beautiful condition and its emerald green grass contrasts with the golden sands of the beach nearby. St Andrews is also home to the oldest University in Scotland, at nearly 600 years old, and the third oldest in Britain behind Oxford and Cambridge. Also dating from this period is the town's once mighty castle which, perched on a rocky headland overhanging the sea, is a ruin with a violent and murderous past. Every street, every building is surrounded with history and we give you almost 3 hours to explore this amazing town.
From St Andrews we take a pleasant drive through the rolling countryside of central Fife, with its small villages and patchwork of farms, to the village of Falkland. Falkland Palace dominates this old village, and was one of the main residences of the old Royal family of Scotland, the Stewarts (Stuarts). Aside from the palace the village is one of the most beautiful in Scotland with an array of old cottages and narrow winding streets. You can take time to wander around the picturesque village or enjoy a drink in one of the villages traditional pubs or tearooms. Leaving Falkland we return to Edinburgh, passing Loch Leven, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by her Protestant nobility. And then we once again cross the Firth of Forth and return to the city centre. We hope to arrive back at approximately 18.00.
Departure Time: 09:30
Departure Point : 207 High St, Edinburgh.
Departure Days: Monday, Thursday & Saturday (All year).
Inclusions:
Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience with a maximum of 16 passengers on tour.
We believe a small group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers really does make a big difference to your trip. It allows us to give you a more personal service and remain the only 5 Star operator to offer this personal guarantee. Touring with a maximum of 16 passengers you get more for your money, more personal attention, more time with the locals, more time off the bus, more time on the back-roads and just more of an authentic, friendly experience. The smaller groups allow you to meet people from all over the world and make friends for life.
Forced air ventilation as standard.
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions.
Exclusions:
Lunch and refreshments.
Entrance to St Andrews Cathedral & Castle, Falkland Palace.
Discount Price: is available for Students, Seniors over 60 and Children between 5 and 16
Important Information
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. Scotland can be a wet place!!
Tour Map
Online Booking for St Andrews and Fife Fishing Villages Day Tour.
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