The St Andrews Visitor Guide

“PEOPLE I MEET FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ASK ME WHAT MAKES ST ANDREWS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE?  IT’S A SIMPLE QUESTION WITH A COMPLICATED ANSWER.”

FOREWORD FROM SANDY MITCHELL

EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ST ANDREWS VOICE & GUIDE

If you are reading this as a visitor may I wish you, on behalf of the local community, the warmest of welcomes and may your time spent here with us leave you with great memories and lasting friendships.

Having lived in St Andrews for more than thirty years in all, first as a boy and since 2001 as a parent and local businessman, I am proud to call this special town home.

St Andrews is an oasis full of riches in the form of its people, history, vibrancy, knowledge and diversity.  No wonder so many like myself came to choose this corner of Scotland to both visit and settle.

Globally known for its golfing stature and historical religious significance, the 600 year old university is without doubt the biggest single influence on the local economy and character.

St Andrews has changed considerably over the last 20 years or so.  We have an ever increasing number of global brands on our high streets with the majority bringing quality products,   valuable investment and employment.

There are however less of the smaller family owned businesses but the ones we have are superb.  I am also glad to see the massive surge in smaller artisan companies emerging everywhere including micro breweries, hand crafted goods and a thriving food and beverage industry.

This is the first edition of this visitor guide and we hope you find it both informative, educational and useful in your visit.  Enjoy your time in our town and we hope to see you again many times in the future, for those of you with long journeys home we wish you safe travels.