St Andrews Cathedral Scotland

St Andrews Cathedral, St Andrews, Scotland

Magnificent Medieval Ruin - St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral in St Andrews, Scotland like nearby St Andrews Castle is a magnificent medieval ruin.

Once the largest cathedral in Scotland and headquarters of the Scottish Church, it remains one of the most important historical sites in Scotland. Its ruins are now a testament to the destruction of the turbulent years of the Scottish Reformation in the 1550s and 1560s.

In its prime, the cathedral was the seat of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and the Bishops and later Archbishops of St Andrews. It was also the largest church in Scotland.

The ruins of the cathedral (left) and St Rule's Tower on the right. — The ruins of the cathedral (left) and St Rule's Tower on the right

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The cathedral was destroyed by a Protestant mob in 1559. — The cathedral was destroyed by a Protestant mob in 1559

History

The history of the cathedral dates back to the foundation and the building of St Rule's Church sometime around 1130, though historians are unsure of the exact date.

The site housed relics of St Andrew - the patron saint of Scotland - brought to Scotland from Greece in the 4th century by Saint Rule (Regulus).

The church and priory were constructed for the newly-arrived Augustinians from the continent who took over the administration of the site from the Culdees based in The Church of St Mary on the Rocks.

The new 33 meter-tall, Augustinian St Rule's Tower served as a beacon for pilgrims arriving by sea to visit the relics.

Later a larger church was begun in around 1158 as St Rule's Church was considered too small. Work continued for over a century and the new cathedral was consecrated in 1318 with Robert the Bruce in attendance.

It remained the largest cathedral in Scotland until it was pillaged and largely destroyed in 1559. The spark for this destruction was a sermon by John Knox in St Andrews parish church, the Holy Trinity Church on South Street, and often referred to as the "cradle of the Scottish Reformation."

The major remains are the east gable of the presbytery, which housed St Andrew's relics, the south wall of the nave, Pends Gate (the main entrance gate) and the west front.

Local people later carried off many of the stones for use in construction.

The original entrance gate survived. — The original entrance gate Pends Gate has survived

The museum contains the cathedral's treasures including The St Andrews Sarcophagus and a number of medieval sculptures. The museum's buildings occupy what was once the cathedral's priory. There are two sections and a museum shop.

One section is in the undercroft of the the original priory, beneath what what was once the monks' refectory. The other is in what was in days gone by the canon's warming house.

Stonework from the Pictish 7th century to the post-Reformation period forms the main bulk of the collection. Some highlights are several post-Reformation gravestones where the symbol of the cross is replaced by motifs representing mortality such as hourglasses and the skull and crossbones; an effigy of Bishop Henry Wardlaw, the founder of St Andrews University; and a collection of wax seals.

The St Andrews Sarcophagus takes pride of place, however, and is a fine example of early medieval sculpture. Historians believe the sarcophagus holds the remains of an 8th century Pictish ruler.

The cathedral and grounds preserve the graves of many people of note including several bishops, military officers, university professors and golfers. There are graves within the ruined cathedral walls, in the cathedral burial ground and the Eastern Cemetery.

View of the ruins. — View of the ruins many now in need of maintenance

Access & Hours

The Pends
St Andrews
Fife KY16 9QL
Tel: 01334 472563
www: historicenvironment.scot

The cathedral, visitor centre, museum and toilets are open Friday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm. (Last entry to the museum is at 3.30 pm). St Rule's Tower is presently closed.

The cathedral grounds are open Monday to Thursday, 11 am to 3 pm; free admission

Closed - 25 to 27 December; 1 to 3 January.

See the above website for admission fees for the museum. (Presently adult admission (16-64 years) is reduced to £3.50. Normal admission is £7.00.

On entrance the interesting visitors centre explains the history of the cathedral and the daily life of the clergy who lived here.

The cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland. — The cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland

Getting To St Andrews

The nearest railway station to St Andrews is Leuchars, which is about 10 km from the town. It is on the Edinburgh to Dundee line and Edinburgh to Aberdeen line from Edinburgh Waverley Station and Edinburgh Haymarket. There are bus and taxi connections from Leuchars to St Andrews.

The Caledonian Sleeper service runs from London Euston to Leuchars overnight six days a week, Sunday to Friday.

The Highland route runs between Fort William, Inverness or Aberdeen and London Euston. The Highland trains join at Edinburgh Waverley and continue to London. The Aberdeen to Edinburgh Waverley Highland train stops at Stonehaven, Montrose, Arbroath, Carnoustie, Dundee, Leuchars (for St Andrews), Kirkcaldy, Inverkeithing and Edinburgh Waverley.

Dundee Station on South Union Street has trains to London King's Cross Station in London from Aberdeen via Edinburgh, Newcastle and York Station in York as well as more local ScotRail trains to Glasgow Queen Street in Glasgow via Perth and Stirling as well as connections south to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

There are frequent buses to and from Dundee from St Andrews via Leuchars. The #99, #99A, the #99B, the #99C, and #99D all connect the two cities. Leuchars to St Andrews by bus takes about 15 minutes.

There are Stagecoach buses running between St Andrews and Edinburgh. These are the X58, X59 and X60 services (about two hours). Stagecoach also operates the X24, X26 and X27 buses to Glasgow (about two and a half hours).

Edinburgh Airport is the nearest major airport with direct shuttle buses to St Andrews. There are also trains to Leuchars from Edinburgh Gateway Station a short tram ride or bus (100 Airlink) ride from Edinburgh Airport.

Visitors are free to wander the ruins but pay to enter the museum. — Visitors are free to wander the ruins but pay to enter the museum

Accommodation

If you wish to stay in St Andrews try the Fairmont St Andrews, with five stars and views of the St Andrews Bay. The hotel also boasts a spa and a pool.

Also recommended are the budget Ardgowan Hotel located in a Georgian terrace and Rusacks St Andrews, overlooking the Old Course.

Old Course Hotel St Andrews overlooks West Sands Beach and the Links Golf Course. Enjoy its Kohler Waters Spa, which offers luxury spa treatments, a hydrotherapy pool, experience showers and cold plunge pool.

Hotel Du Vin St Andrews on The Scores offers a French-style bistro and bar.

Kinnettles Hotel & Spa offers an à la carte restaurant amid five-star luxury.

See a listing of hotels in St Andrews.

Graves scattered among the ruins. — Graves scattered among the ruins

St Andrews Attractions

St Andrews Castle, the ruined cathedral, St Andrews aquarium, St Andrews Museum, the Wardlaw Museum, Holy Trinity Church, the R&A World Golf Museum and, of course, St Andrews University are major attractions in the city.

Many visitors, especially from the USA, also come to play the Old Course, the home of golf.