St Andrews
St. Andrews is a University town in the Kingdom of Fife on the east Coast of Scotland.
St. Andrews is a University town in the Kingdom of Fife on the east Coast of Scotland. It is a small town, about 17,000 folk, of whom a third are St Andrews University students. St Andrews University is the oldest in Scotland and third oldest in Britain.
St Andrews is also famous as the home of golf. The course is the most common venue for the British Open Championship. It is from here that golf, in most countries, is ruled.
The town has a ruined castle and a cathedral. St Andrews has two miles of sandy beach and an aquarium on the shore. The main town is runs along three streets - North Street, Market St and South St with several short roads connecting them.
Visit St Andrews St Andrews University Golf St Andrews Cathedral
From the bus station turn right to get to trail 1 or left to try trail 2.
TRAIL 1 - South Street and Market St.
Turning right down City Road (A915) go through the first roundabout and discover the Whey Pat Tavern on the corner of the next round about. From here cross the road and go through the ruined city gates and there is The West Port Bar and Kitchen on the right. Across the road is Drouthy Neebors. On the same side further up is the St Andrews Brewing Co.
Still wandering up South St turn left at Bell St and Aikman's and The Cellar Bar is on the left hand side. Turn back onto South St again and across the road is The Rule. Walk further up South St and on the left hand side, ignoring two lanes/roads off to the left, you will reach The Criterion.
Retrace your steps back to the last corner, taking time to visit the bookshop on the corner, turn right up Church St to reach Market St. To your right across Market St is The Central. Now, walking down the right hand side of the street there is The Keys Bar. At the cross roads The Vic is diagonally opposite. Further along Market St, on the next corner is The Blue Stane our last pub. Turning right takes you to the bus station.
TRAIL 2 Around the Hotels and North St
Turning left up City Road (A915) and at the roundabout turn right onto North St and the Dunvegan Hotel is across the street on the next corner. Walk up North St and discover Playfairs at the Ardgowan Hotel then further on from that (still on the left side of North St) is Greyfriars Hotel with Ogstons Hotel right next to it. Just on from here, crossing the small road called Murray Place, is Rascals (above the cinema).
Now, backtrack to Murray Place and walk right down to the end where The Russell Hotel is on the corner. Leaving here turn left and walk in the direction of the beach and golf course. This will take you by The Golf Hotel, currently being renovated, and Scores Hotel. At the foot of the hill on the corner underneath an impressive building is Hams Hame.
From here walk across to the golf course and down the side of it, on Links Crescent is Rusacks Hotel with The One Under Bar under it. (walk around it for entrance). On a good day (and the time) you could walk along Links Crescent and turn right onto Station Road and walk to The Old Course Hotel which has The Jigger Inn beside it.
Otherwise, from The One Under, return to the road and turn right. Across the road, near the corner is 1 Golf Place and right next door to this is The Dunvegan Hotel where Trail 2 started. You should now be able to find your way back to the bus station.
Pub Facts.
Most pubs or hotels have some outside seating along the pavement but only a few have a beer garden.
The staff found behind the bars are the most pleasant and helpful of any town we have visited.
The local real ales are from Eden Brewery and St Andrews Brewing Co.
Most pubs and hotels offer food.
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CAMRA
The website of the Campaign for Real Ale
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PLACES TO VISIT WITH PUBTRAILS
The towns and villages highlighted on this web site have a wide variety of pubs and beers in them. All of the places are great to visit, whether for a day or longer, and most have tourist attractions for all of the family.
There is a large variety of pubs throughout the different towns shown below. Some you may wish never to visit again but even discovering these can be interesting. There are pubs that you would not take your wife into. While some you could not take your girlfriend into. A few you would not take either into. However, most of the pubs are very pleasant.
HOME MAP of places visited
Alnwick Ambleside Anstruther Bakewell Bamburgh Barnard Castle Bath Berwick upon Tweed Birnam & Dunkeld Bourton on the Water Bowness on Windermere Bridge of Allan Chester Chichester Dunblane Dunoon Edinburgh Ely Fort William Glasgow Gourock Greenock Helensburgh Inverness Kelso Keswick Knaresborough Largs Linlithgow Lyme Regis Melrose Montrose Newton Stewart North Berwick Norwich Oban Pebbles Penzance Portree Pitlochry Quorn Richmond Rothesay St Andrews Seahouses Seend Shrewsbury Skipton Stirling Stratford-upon-Avon Stockton Heath Whitby Windemere Whitstable York
Whey Pat Tavern
Whey Pat Tavern has a large L shaped room as the bar with a lounge to the back. Bar is basic; linoleum and darts. Meals, disabled access and dog friendly.
Regular in CAMRA Good Beer Guide including 2023
Have a pint here
Real ale : Lia Fail; Deuchers; Abbot; Greene King IPA; Landlord; Old Speckled Hen
Bitter : Bellhaven Best; McEwans
Lager : Tennent’s; Stella; Carling
Cider :Blackthorn Guinness
The Saint
(formerly West Port) Bar and Kitchen
The Saint (formerly West Port) Bar and Kitchen
Review for West Port - has five rooms on four floors. There is the main bar area with tall tables to the right. Down a few steps is a soft seating area. Through from the bar are two seating areas both up a few steps. Straight on are booths with TVs while to the right are two rooms which are used for dining early in the evening. Meals, disabled access and dog friendly.
There is also a beer garden
Have a pint here
Real al : Clock Brew (by Eden); Deuchers
Bitter : Caledonian Best; Bitter and Twisted
Lager : Schiehallion; Havenlee; Tennent’s
Cider :Magners Guinness
Pub Jukebox:
Alcohol themed music to listen to while you browse.
Sunday morning coming down - Johnny Cash
Rogue (formerly Drouthy Neebors)
Rogue (formerly Drouthy Neebors)
Now a "classic cocktail bar"
St Andrews Brewing Co, South St ★
St Andrews Brewing Co opened their pub in November 2013. It sells real ale (many from their own brewery) and craft keg beers. Basically it is a long thin venue with bar at top right. There is seating to right inside door with a log burning fire on the left wall. Opposite the bar the seating is stools with glass topped wooden barrels as tables. At end of bar is another log burning fire and some comfy seats. Upstairs there is a beer hall. Accompanying all this is a Tapaz menu.
Have a pint here
real ale NO REAL ALE NOW :Wee Blonde; St Andrews IPA; Fife Gold; Ringmaster (Magic Rock); Sleepless (Red Willow); Adnams
Craft ale :The Kernal Brown Ale; Lagunitas; Burning Sky; Campenhells; Kernel Galaxy Ale
Core range is now: Lager, IPA, Yippie IPA, Pale Ale, Stout
Aikmans and Cellar bar
Aikmans and Cellar bar has a small bar upstairs offering beer and food. Downstairs is the Cellar which has a wide variety of live music. Lunches and dog friendly.
Have one here
In Good Beer Guide for 31 years - including 2024
Real ale : Misty Law (Kelburn) ; Red MacGregor; Wilson’s 80/-
Bitter : Bellhaven Best
Lager : Kozel; Duvel; Weihendstephen
Cider :Aspall Guinness
PUB QUIZ
How often can you fold a piece of paper?
Answer at foot of page
The Rule
The Rule is a large dining pub. The size of the front is misleading as it opens to a large space before becoming a long bar. There is lots of standing area, however it is a dining pub and it widens out even further to seating. There is further seating upstairs overlooking the open area in front of the bar. Meals and dog friendly.
Have a half pint here
Real ale : Deuchers
Bitter : Bitter and Twisted; Caledonian Best
Lager : Stella; San Miguel; Tennent’s; the Rule Lager
Cider :Magners Guinness
The Criterion
The Criterion is a small but well-formed bar. There are a couple of booths at the window and some seating outside. Lovely back bar. Food served. Squashes in two TVs. Music on several nights. Meals and dog friendly.
CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular, including 2023, 2024
Have a pint here
Real ale : Stewart ales; Loch Lomond Ales; St Andrew’s Ales;
Bitter : Neck Oil; John Smiths
Lager : Innes & Gunn ; Fosters; 1664; Bira Moretti
Cider :Symonds; Real cider: Thistly Cross Guinness
The Central
The Central is a Belhaven pub in the town centre. There is an island bar with a variety of seating around the sides. Food served and outside seating. Discounts for CAMRA members, students and servicemen. TVs in three of the corners.
CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular
Have a pint here
Real ale : Lia fail; Claverhouse; Old Peculiar; Crystal (by Houston); Slainte; Deuchers; Bitter and Twisted
Bitter : Belhaven Best
Lager : Tennent’s; Carling; Schiehallion; Peroni; Stella
Cider :Thistly Cross; Aspall Guinness
As visited regularly by DCI Gilchrist, the fictional St Andrews detective in the books by T. F. (Frank) Muir.
The Keys
The Keys is a small bright local bar. Standing room at bar with seating around sides. Seating outside on pavement. The locals recognise a stranger.
Sunday Mail Pub of the Year 2014 Runner up in Best Bar category at Scottish Hospitality awards 2023
Have pint here
Bitter : John Smith, Tartan; McEwan’s Export; McEwan’s 80/-
Lager : Tennent’s; Heverlee; Carlsberg
Cider :Strongbow Guinness
Vic ★
Vic, looking like a cinema, advertises pub, kitchen and social club. The stairs take you to a landing with the pub/kitchen to the left and social club to the right. The pub is a large, high ceiling room with lots of large wooden tables. The feeling is of medieval banqueting hall. Meals and dog friendly.
10 till 2am all days. Social club attracts queues of students.
Best Bar & Pub in Fife 2022 by The National Pub and Bar awards.
Have a pint here
Real ale : an Eden Brewery brew : NO REAL ALE ANYMORE
Bitter : Joker; Caledonian Best
Lager : Staroperaman; Red Stripe; Peroni; Heverlee; Tennent’s; Estrella
Cider :Magners ; Addlestones Guinness
Molly Malones ( was called The Blue Stane)
Molly Malones (a Belhaven pub formerly called The Blue Stane) is a basement bar stretching along several buildings. Large seating area inside door with bar and narrower seating area to the right. It opens out again after the bar for pool table. Six TVs shows commitment to sports though food service is a cornerstone of the bar. Food smells can dominate the air.
Have a half pint here
Bitter : Belhaven Best, McEwans Export
Lager : Heineken; Stella; Tennent’s; Coors Light
Cider :Strongbow Guinness
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Books on Pubs
A selection of recommended books on pubs and their history. There are books on the social history of pubs and the design of pubs through the ages.
There are also books on visiting pubs and ones recommending pubs to visit.
CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide
Death of the English Pub by Christopher Hutt
Brewers, Brands and the Pubs in their Hands by Tony Thornton
Licensed to Sell by Brandwood, Davidson & Slaughter
And many more
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Scottish pub crawls
Craig Stevenson and John MacKay have used their bus passes to good effect. They have toured the towns and cities of Scotland visiting pubs. They recount their adventures in a series of books:
The Auldest Boozers in Town
The Cheap Way Round
Still Goin’
Inn Aff The Bar
Goin’ Roon The Edge
Mud, Sweat and Beers
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Books on Beer and Brewing
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.
TRAIL 2 Around the Hotels and North St
Turning left up City Road (A915) and at the roundabout turn right onto North St and the Dunvegan Hotel is across the street on the next corner. Walk up North St and discover Playfairs at the Ardgowan Hotel then further on from that (still on the left side of North St) is Greyfriars Hotel with Ogstons Hotel right next to it. Just on from here, crossing the small road called Murray Place, is Rascals (above the cinema).
Now, backtrack to Murray Place and walk right down to the end where The Russell Hotel is on the corner. Leaving here turn left and walk in the direction of the beach and golf course. This will take you by The Golf Hotel, currently being renovated, and Scores Hotel. At the foot of the hill on the corner underneath an impressive building is Hams Hame.
From here walk across to the golf course and down the side of it, on Links Crescent is Rusacks Hotel with The One Under Bar under it. (walk around it for entrance). On a good day (and the time) you could walk along Links Crescent and turn right onto Station Road and walk to The Old Course Hotel which has The Jigger Inn beside it.
Otherwise, from The One Under, return to the road and turn right. Across the road, near the corner is 1 Golf Place and right next door to this is The Dunvegan Hotel where Trail 2 started. You should now be able to find your way back to the bus station.
Dunvegan Hotel ★
Dunvegan Hotel is a popular hotel with golfers and the room is dominated by pictures, even on the ceiling, of famous visitors.
have a pint here
Bitter : Belhaven Best; John Smiths; St Andrews
Lager : Tennent’s; Carlsberg; Bud
Cider Guinness
Playfairs at The Ardgowan Hotel
Playfairs at The Ardgowan Hotel. The restaurant is under the hotel while the bar is to the left and is unfortunately closed November to March. There is outside seating for a drink.
restaurant serves:
Bitter : Belhaven Best; Playfairs Ale
Lager : Tennent’s; Peroni
Cider : Strongbow Guinness
“I went on a diet, swore of drinking and heavy eating and in fourteen days I had lost exactly two weeks .”
— Joe E Lewis
Greyfriars Hotel
Greyfriars Hotel has a bar which is narrow at entrance, but widens out as the wooden counter curves around and the room opens up eventually leading to large dining area.
Have one here
Real ale : Shipwreck; Clock Brew; 19th Brew Blonde (all by Eden) NO REAL ALE ANYMORE
Bitter : Caledonian Best; Bitter and Twisted; Innes and Gunn
Lager : Tennent’s; Peroni; Heverlee; Hoegarden
Cider :Somerby Guinness
Ogstons Hotel now Kinnettles Hotel
Ogstons Hotel has a small bar through the main doors. It has several booths, each a small TV as well as two large TV screens. Restaurant is through to the right and there is the Lizard Lounge club downstairs.
Have a half pint here.
Bitter : Belhaven Best
Lager : Staroperaman; Carlsberg; San Miguel
Cider :Symonds Guinness
Rascals is now St Andrew's North St
Rascals is now St Andrew's North St.
The Russell Hotel closed ★
Hams Hame
Hams Hame is a large bar/dining area in basement. Very spacious and lounging room. Food is served.
Have pint here
Bitter : Belhaven Best; Innes and Gunn
Lager : Black Isle Organic; Schiehallion; Peroni
Cider :Somerby Guinness
The One Under
The One Under is the bar/diner of Macdonalds Rusacks Hotel. It has a lot of nicely spaced tables for dining or sitting at. the main are is split up by walls. The bar is quite small but it is not the place that expects a crowd at the bar.
Have a pint here
Real ale : Advantage (by Eden)
Bitter : Belhaven Best
Lager : Staroperaman; Carlsberg; Peroni; Birra Moretta
Cider :Somerby Guinness
1 Golf Place
