St Andrews & Falkland Palace

From Edinburgh we’ll make our way across the Forth Road Bridge. From the road bridge you’ll be able to see one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, the Forth Bridge. An astonishing piece of 19th century engineering it is one of the world’s longest cantilever bridges. UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 2015 due to its outstanding universal value.

In Fife, we will follow the famous coastal route that passes through many beautiful and historic fishing villages. Some of these villages date back to the 10th and 11th centuries. We’ll journey through Elie, St Monan’s and Pittenweem to Anstruther.

Anstruther, pronounced locally as Ainster, is the largest and liveliest of the fishing villages. You’ll have time to explore the scenic harbour and take a wander through the narrow, cobbled streets. It may be that you just prefer to sit, have a coffee and watch the world go by.

At St Andrew’s you’ll have just under three hours of free time to explore one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval towns.

Renowned worldwide as “the home of golf”. People played golf here as far back as the 15th century. The Old Course is the best-known golf course in the world. At the 18th hole you’ll find another famous landmark, Swilcan Bridge. Originally built over 700 years ago to allow shepherds to take their flock across Swilcan Burn.

Visit the Royal and Ancient Golf Museum. This 5 star visitor attraction has many fascinating objects dating back 400 years. Step outside and you are within touching distance of the 1st tee of the old course at St Andrews. The University of St Andrews is the oldest in Scotland and was the meeting place of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

You can visit the ruins of the castle of the Archbishops of St Andrews, dating in part from the 13th century. Look into the bottle dungeon which was one of medieval Britain’s most infamous castle prisons.

In the charming village of Falkland lies Falkland Palace. This was the country residence of the Stuart Kings and Queens. Its most famous resident was Mary Queen of Scots. The palace is one of the finest examples of Renaissance Architecture in Scotland.

Marvel at its grand entrance and take in the stunning Chapel Royal. Wander its extensive grounds where you’ll find the royal tennis court. Completed in 1541 by James V, this real tennis court is one of the oldest in Britain.

Explore the palace gardens, orchard and wildflower meadow and enjoy the colours and scents of its Physic Garden.

The village of Falkland stood in for Inverness in the Outlander tv series. You can enjoy a refreshment at the Covenanters Hotel – or Mrs Baird’s Guesthouse where Claire and Frank enjoy their second honeymoon. The Squares Bruce Fountain is the haunting spot where Frank see’s Jamie’s ghost watching Claire at the window.

From Falkland we return to Edinburgh where our tour ends.