Scottish Castles

Local information

St Andrew's Castle, Fife

Location: Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9AR (map and directions)

In the Royal Burgh of St Andrews, there has been a castle on the rocky promontory overlooking Castle Sands beach since Bishop Roger, son of Earl of Leicester, was here between 1189-1202. Today, the castle is known as St Andrews Castle, a ruined castle which was a major focal point of the Church in medieval Scotland, both religiously and politically.

St Andrew's Castle - Wikimedia Commons

History of St Andrew's Castle

St Andrews has been home to several notable figures throughout its history. The castle was the former residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews, and it was here that Robert the Bruce was crowned in 1306 in defiance of Edward I. This act resulted in the Archbishop’s imprisonment.

This conflict was only one example of St Andrews turbulent past, which also includes the martyrdom of George Wishart and the murder of Cardinal Beaton, as well as the siege of 1546-1547 when the siege mine was built. The castle is also home to the Bottle Dungeon – a castle prison cut out of the solid rock upon which the castle was built and where George Wishart and Cardinal Beaton were kept. During the Reformation, St Andrews Castle was destroyed and has been a ruin ever since.

Historic Scotland maintains the castle’s grounds, the visitors centre detailing the history of St Andrews Castle, as well as the siege mine, which can be visited during opening hours.

Map and directions

Other castles in Fife