By: Maeve Kirk
Our first day trip was an exceptionally anticipated one; the historic city of St. Andrews. Home to the St. Andrews cathedral, castle, and university, this city is full of Scottish history. Just driving through the town, you wouldn’t think that it is home to the oldest university in Scotland or the largest medieval church; it just looks like a quaint coast town. But, as you approach the shore, a looming stone structure appears in the distance. The closer you get the more ruins you see. The surrounding headstones almost make the area seem as if it is a graveyard for, not only the many eighteenth century people, but the ancient building as well. But, if you focus, you can visualize what the cathedral would have looked like all those years ago. It all came together after climbing the tower where you get a bird’s eye view of the small town.
Also in sight of the tower is St. Andrew’s castle, or what’s left of it. With far less structure left of the building than the cathedral, it’s harder to imagine what the original structure would have looked like. Nevertheless, the informative plaques helped visitors determine the functions of different sections of the fortress. With some free time left before we headed back, I ventured down to the beach, where a medieval ‘wellness pool’ still remained, although submerged in water. But, as the tide went out, the pool became visible and I was even able to walk along the walls toward the end, into the North Sea.
Our first day trip was an exceptionally anticipated one; the historic city of St. Andrews. Home to the St. Andrews cathedral, castle, and university, this city is full of Scottish history. Just driving through the town, you wouldn’t think that it is home to the oldest university in Scotland or the largest medieval church; it just looks like a quaint coast town. But, as you approach the shore, a looming stone structure appears in the distance. The closer you get the more ruins you see. The surrounding headstones almost make the area seem as if it is a graveyard for, not only the many eighteenth century people, but the ancient building as well. But, if you focus, you can visualize what the cathedral would have looked like all those years ago. It all came together after climbing the tower where you get a bird’s eye view of the small town.
Also in sight of the tower is St. Andrew’s castle, or what’s left of it. With far less structure left of the building than the cathedral, it’s harder to imagine what the original structure would have looked like. Nevertheless, the informative plaques helped visitors determine the functions of different sections of the fortress. With some free time left before we headed back, I ventured down to the beach, where a medieval ‘wellness pool’ still remained, although submerged in water. But, as the tide went out, the pool became visible and I was even able to walk along the walls toward the end, into the North Sea.
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