St Andrews & the Kingdom of Fife

Do you believe in monsters?

If you do, best to not stray too close to water while you’re here in Scotland. We’re not talking about Nessie. We’re talking about the kelpies, deadly shape-shifting creatures that often appear as horses, luring people to a watery death. Your first stop on this tour is to see the Kelpies Monument and you might just be grateful that they’re not this enormous in ‘real life’.

Though that’s not what this monument was built for. Created by artist Andy Scott, these icons are modelled after Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron, a symbol of the lineage of heavy horses throughout Scottish history that helped shape the surrounding region of Falkirk.

Leaving behind these awe-inspiring creatures, it’s time for a pleasant drive through the rolling countryside of the Kingdom of Fife to Falkland. Falkland Palace dominates this old village, and was one of the main residences of the old Royal family of Scotland, the Stewarts (Stuarts). Aside from the palace, the village is simply one of the most beautiful in Scotland with an array of old cottages and narrow winding streets. Not to mention the kick Outlander fans will get when they recognise this as the location for 1940s Inverness in the popular TV series. 

Next up is where you’ve been waiting for: the medieval town of St Andrews. St Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland, and according to legend, his remains were washed up on the Fife coast. St Andrews is also home to the third oldest university in Britain and a beautiful ruined castle perched on a cliff. You have around three hours to explore this fascinating town.

As you head back towards Glasgow, you stop in at Queensferry Crossing, and get a great view of one of Scotland’s greatest man-made landmarks, the Forth Rail Bridge.

You arrive back in Glasgow in the early evening.