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St Andrews Castle, Cathedral and Historic Burgh
There has been a Christian foundation at St. Andrews since at least the 700s - much earlier, according to legend. The cathedral was begun around 1160 and on completion was Scotland's biggest, most magnificent church. The bishop's castle was probably built around the same time.
At its height, St. Andrews was the central focus for scotland's religious and academic life, with strong links to royal power. It fell into decline after the Reformation, but many traces of the wealth and vibrancy of the historic burgh have survived to the present day.
At its height, St. Andrews was the central focus for scotland's religious and academic life, with strong links to royal power. It fell into decline after the Reformation, but many traces of the wealth and vibrancy of the historic burgh have survived to the present day.
72 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
About the author
Chris J. Tabraham
57 booksChristopher J. Tabraham was Principal Historian at Historic Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 17, 2026
Bought this visitor guide on an overnight visit to St Andrews in which we took a guided tour of the cathedral and also visited the castle.
Usually, I will get through a guide book on the day of, or day after, our visit, but in this occasion it took me around two weeks to finish. Not because it was a hard read, but because it had so much in it.
Unlike other Historic Environment Scotland souvenir books, this covered all of the sites in the town rather than having separate guides for each attraction, as well as covering wider history of the town and its own heritage as an ecclesiastical settlement. Not to mention a nod to its modern role as a university town and the home of golf.
It all made for a more comprehensive overview - the castle and cathedral are inextricably linked after all - of one of Scotland's most important medieval locations, supported by the usual depth of detail, well thought out structure, great imagery and illustrations that the HES visitor guides have demonstrated as their hallmark.
This is a must-buy if you're visiting either or both sites and actually interested in the history, but more than that - and I wouldn't say this about all such guidebooks - also one that would be worth picking up even if you haven't been here.
Usually, I will get through a guide book on the day of, or day after, our visit, but in this occasion it took me around two weeks to finish. Not because it was a hard read, but because it had so much in it.
Unlike other Historic Environment Scotland souvenir books, this covered all of the sites in the town rather than having separate guides for each attraction, as well as covering wider history of the town and its own heritage as an ecclesiastical settlement. Not to mention a nod to its modern role as a university town and the home of golf.
It all made for a more comprehensive overview - the castle and cathedral are inextricably linked after all - of one of Scotland's most important medieval locations, supported by the usual depth of detail, well thought out structure, great imagery and illustrations that the HES visitor guides have demonstrated as their hallmark.
This is a must-buy if you're visiting either or both sites and actually interested in the history, but more than that - and I wouldn't say this about all such guidebooks - also one that would be worth picking up even if you haven't been here.
July 4, 2026
Plenty of information + pics
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews