A Tour Of St Andrews' Architectural Landmarks
Between its picture-perfect Scottish vernacular architecture punctuating the age-old streets and array of historic ruins shrouded in secrets, St Andrews is a bubble of architectural appeal. Here, Culture Trip takes you on a tour of St Andrews’ best buildings and architectural landmarks.
1. St Andrews Castle
Ruins
2. West Port
West Port
Built in 1587, West Port was designed as one of the many eye-opening ports or gates in St Andrews. This entryway to South Street is in impeccable condition and regarded as the ‘best preserved city gate in Scotland’. It’s also one of the few remaining. The style mimics Port Saint-Honore in Paris, a design also impersonated in Edinburgh’s Netherbow, while the middle archway boasts semi-octagonal ‘rownds’ and ‘battling’. Part of the preservation prowess is thanks to the meticulous refurb job in 1843.
3. St Salvator’s Chapel
Building, Church, University
4. St Andrews Cathedral
Cathedral, Church, Ruins
5. The University of St Andrews
Building, Library, University
The University of St Andrews
The aesthetically exquisite University of St Andrews, founded between 1410 and 1413, plays hosts to a harmonious hodgepodge of architectural styles spanning from Gothic revival to brutalist and everything else in between. From its impressive libraries, including the King James, and breathtaking monastic St Salvator’s College, to St Mary’s College complete with The Roundel, a building from the 16th Century and the maze of halls, the buildings at St Andrews University are as diverse as its student body.
Swilcan Bridge
The Swilcan Bridge, as it basks unassumingly over a wee trickle of water between the first and eighteenth fairways on the Old Course, is an unsurpassable St Andrews landmark. This age-old bridge, which is more of a stone structure than a bridge, is a legendary golfing icon and perennially popular photo op spot for golf greats. Built over 700 years ago in an understated Roman Arch style, this famous bridge was constructed to help shepherd’s guide livestock across the burn.
6. Blackfriars Chapel
Church, Building
7. Martyrs' Monument
Memorial
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