St Andrews Castle
St Andrews Castle
4
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
St Andrews Castle is the ruins of the castle of the Archbishops of St Andrews, dating in part from the 13th century. On a headland to the north of St Andrews stand the ruins of the city's castle, the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews and the focal point of the church in medieval Scotland. Explore the underground 16th-century siege mine and counter-mine, and the 'bottle dungeon', one of the most infamous castle prisons in medieval Britain, which was cut out of the solid rock. John Knox and George Wishart may have been imprisoned in this dank and airless space, and this is where its believed Cardinal Beaton’s body was kept when he was murdered in 1546.
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  • Mike
    Glossop, United Kingdom1,329 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Some areas closed
    Worth a visit. Shame the mine and counter mine are not open and other areas also closed off. Audio guide provided and this wasn’t bad, but a bit difficult to relate to the different areas. Introductory display also a little confusing too.
    Thanks for leaving a review, we are sorry to hear your visit did not live up to expectations. Although some areas are closed, or fenced off, the Historic Scotland sites at St Andrews are still accessible with pricing reduced at the castle. Staff and Visitors safety is our top priority - we are working hard to fully re-open the sites, but we need to take some extra precautions, as the access is currently restricted due to health and safety concerns.
    Written 12 April 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 10 February 2024
  • Rosemary S
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to visit
    We visited the castle on a recent trip to Dundee and St Andrews. What a fabulous experience… from start to finish we were enthralled with the audio descriptors. It transported us back in time to a much darker place in history. We listened intently to the personal story of a young man not more than 10 summers whose life was changed overnight as a bloody murder took place. Please visit this wonderful historical site to hear about this young boys experiences.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 20 May 2024
  • 1861JamesSue
    27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Remnants of the Castle
    Now you go through some information first which is well done and Informative . When you go outside you go into the castle which overlooks the sea. You can envision how it was back in the day. Now actually this is what is left even from the 1700’s , but it is worth the visit. The street it is on is one of more exclusive homes of St Andrews. It is near St Andrews University.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 May 2024
  • Jennifer L
    43 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    St Andrew’s Castle
    Lovely castle and the mine / counter mine were excellent !! Very eerie but what a setting! The beach just below was where we spent a good hour searching for pebbles to take back home. Castle had some bits closed off for Maintenence. My kind of castle to explore. Relatively quiet and not many people.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 June 2024
  • DeanMurphy2020
    Orlando, Florida7,757 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Medieval history☺
    Historically, castles are inhabited by monarchs and a royal family. For this castle, constructed in about 1200 and in use until 1689, the castle was inhabited by Scottish Medieval Catholic archbishops. To save commute time or Uber expense for the bishops, the castle is adjacent to St. Andrews Cathedral, also medieval ruins. It served as the Scotland’s ecclesiastical center during the years before the Protestant Reformation. The castle was destroyed in the Wars of Scottish Independence and rebuilt several times as it was occupied by Scotts and the English invaders. Shortly after the 1296 Berwick invasion by England’s Edward the First and prepared for the English king to occupy in 1303. St. Andrews Castle became a de facto tennis ball, in a match between the Brits and Scots until 1336, when the Scots destroyed it to prevent the English for again taking it as a stronghold. Keep in mind that this castle was first constructed 292 years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Scotland’s interior was little inhabited, since goods were transported by ships. Logic dictated that cities be located at harbors or along the banks of tidal rivers, such as Washing D.C. Strolling about the grounds, views of the harbor are phenomenal. Sad that so little of Scottish history is taught in American public schools.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 26 June 2024
  • Christopher M
    Hershey, Pennsylvania196 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing History
    The beginning self guided tour gives a good background and the grounds with the remaining structures are amazing. You can go into the mine shafts dug by the fighters defending and invading the castle and can climb most of the structures to get amazing views. Castle is east to get to and right next to university and the Cathedral. Would highly recommend checking it out.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 July 2024
  • laneyislay
    148 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely grounds but a little expensive
    I visited here with a family member and 2 teenagers and we all enjoyed it. The castle and grounds are lovely, very picturesque and there are a lot of benches in the grounds to relax and enjoy the views. We went down the mine too, it wasn't as small and narrow as I had expected, definitely worth a try. The shop has some nice wee souvenirs. Entry is £10 an adult which i thought was a bit expensive but it's worth a visit.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 July 2024
  • Mark_Annall
    Kilmarnock, United Kingdom34 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must visit
    I visited the castle when I was a child and could remember the tunnels being fascinating. Returning recently, I was not disappointed how interesting the whole experience was. The audio guide that is now available was excellent and my partner and I, agreed it was well worth the money and time. All the staff were so friendly as well.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 September 2024
  • Pink_Lady
    Hertfordshire, United Kingdom15 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worthwhile visit to the castle to learn about its history
    Very interesting history at St Andrews Castle. Audio guide is well worth it. £10 entry for adults (national trust cards not accepted but English Heritage cards are). Toilets and gift shop on site but no cafe. Fascinating history of the castle during the reformation period.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 September 2024
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,171 reviews
Excellent
497
Very good
494
Average
155
Poor
19
Terrible
6

PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,017 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Covid restrictions meant we just walked around the vicinity of the castle and viewed it from the outside.

The shimmering end of a summer's day light gave it a spectacular view, much better was the beach scenery and seeing some of the birds including a heron.

One day we hope to return when better day are ahead.
Written 28 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DeanMurphy2020
Orlando, FL7,757 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Historically, castles are inhabited by monarchs and a royal family. For this castle, constructed in about 1200 and in use until 1689, the castle was inhabited by Scottish Medieval Catholic archbishops. To save commute time or Uber expense for the bishops, the castle is adjacent to St. Andrews Cathedral, also medieval ruins. It served as the Scotland’s ecclesiastical center during the years before the Protestant Reformation.

The castle was destroyed in the Wars of Scottish Independence and rebuilt several times as it was occupied by Scotts and the English invaders. Shortly after the 1296 Berwick invasion by England’s Edward the First and prepared for the English king to occupy in 1303. St. Andrews Castle became a de facto tennis ball, in a match between the Brits and Scots until 1336, when the Scots destroyed it to prevent the English for again taking it as a stronghold. Keep in mind that this castle was first constructed 292 years before Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Scotland’s interior was little inhabited, since goods were transported by ships. Logic dictated that cities be located at harbors or along the banks of tidal rivers, such as Washing D.C.

Strolling about the grounds, views of the harbor are phenomenal. Sad that so little of Scottish history is taught in American public schools.
Written 26 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

aisha m
39 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
A beautiful place for fantastic views and pictures.
£7.50 per person which is over priced in my opinion due to the size and state of the castle.
The castle itself isn't particularly large ; you can easily go round in 45 mins max. ( We did it in 35 minutes).
You do not need to necessarily go to the Castle for the views ; there are beautiful views outside the castle too.
Written 27 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pink_Lady
Hertfordshire, UK15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
Very interesting history at St Andrews Castle. Audio guide is well worth it. £10 entry for adults (national trust cards not accepted but English Heritage cards are). Toilets and gift shop on site but no cafe. Fascinating history of the castle during the reformation period.
Written 8 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cameron D
Irvine, UK89 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
Came for a visit of the ruins and found the gory history very insightful. We got the background in the visitors centre as we entered and downloaded the audio guide while we explored the castle. The bottle dungeon a particular highlight. Best part of the visit was speaking with a real life man at arms who gave us the story of his role at the castle working for the knights and nobles. We also got to try on some of his armour and weaponry. Hopefully we get to see a medieval performance at some point.
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CharlieBlacksmith
Fife, UK2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
The castle is extremely intersting. There is an informative exhibition inside the entrance building. The staff are lovely and very helpful and friendly. The views from inside the grounds are stunning and the castle itself has some fairly unique features.
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maya M
Edinburgh, UK91 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020 • Family
It was nice place to visit,shame about the mine being closed.We were in and out within under an hour.
Staff super nice and explained everything and really paid attention to health and safety.
Little bit pricey and no student / key worker discounts.
Written 15 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark_Annall
Kilmarnock, UK34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
I visited the castle when I was a child and could remember the tunnels being fascinating. Returning recently, I was not disappointed how interesting the whole experience was. The audio guide that is now available was excellent and my partner and I, agreed it was well worth the money and time. All the staff were so friendly as well.
Written 5 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

laneyislay
Isle of Islay148 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
I visited here with a family member and 2 teenagers and we all enjoyed it. The castle and grounds are lovely, very picturesque and there are a lot of benches in the grounds to relax and enjoy the views. We went down the mine too, it wasn't as small and narrow as I had expected, definitely worth a try. The shop has some nice wee souvenirs.

Entry is £10 an adult which i thought was a bit expensive but it's worth a visit.
Written 9 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BarbaraRiekwel
Coatbridge, UK873 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
We like making the most of our Historic Scotland membership:) Even though we have been to St Andrews a lot of times, this was the first time visiting this castle. It was a lovely warm day and it was nice to walk around and sit to enjoy the views. The prison and mine were shut but we will hopefully return to visit again and view this when things are back to a certain normality…
Enjoyable visit and friendly staff.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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ST ANDREWS CASTLE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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