The town of St Andrews sits on the East Coast of Scotland, in the Kingdom of Fife. The University buildings are spread throughout the town, and many would be mistakable for houses. In talking about the town, the ‘three streets’ are often refererred to: Market Street, South Street and North Street. While the town stretches well beyond these three streets, many of the shops and significant buildings are located here.
St Andrews is named such for the relics of St Andrew, which legend has it where brought here by St Rule. It was once the religious capital of Scotland and a great centre for mediaeval pilgrims, arriving to view the relics of St Andrew. In the Renaissance the city was a thriving intellectual centre with links to Paris and other continental university towns. St Andrews was also an important political and recreational centre for the Scottish royal family with Mary, Queen of Scots, making several visits. St Andrews first became a burgh somewhere between 1144 and 1153 when it was given such a status by Bishop Robert, with the permission of King David I.
During the Reformation the city witnessed the sometimes violent power struggles between factions. Ultimately supporters of the Protestant faith gained ascendancy. In the aftermath of the Reformation and more particularly after the Union with England (1707), the importance of the city declined. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that the fortunes of the city began to revive. There was a three-fold expansion of the area covered by its boundaries between 1900 and the present day.
Today the town is a draw for holidaymakers, with its 3 beaches, and also for golfers drawn by St Andrews’ historic courses. Its skyline is dominated by the ruined Castle and Cathedral, and the ancient pier reaching out into the sea. The town has one metro supermarket in the centre, and two a little further out, it also has a large variety of local shops, and some high street chains including an H&M clothing store. A list of the services available in and around the town is available here: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/visiting/town/. It is worth noting that the town does not have a train station. Connecting buses are available outside Leuchars rail station.
St Andrews is approximately 50 miles north-east of Edinburgh, 14 miles south-east of Dundee, 78 miles south of Aberdeen, 82 miles east of Glasgow; and 466 miles north of London.
St Andrews generally has a milder and drier climate than the rest of Scotland (honest!). The five day forecast is right here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2638864