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Date spot in St Andrews

West Sands

Walk the two miles of wide, flat sand that run north from the Old Course, the beach the runners race along in the opening of Chariots of Fire.

A sandy path through dune grass opening onto the long, wide West Sands beach under a cloudy sky

West Sands Road, north of the town centre

West Sands Road, St Andrews KY16 9XL
  • Outdoors
  • Free
  • Romantic

Why it's a good date: Big skies, room to breathe and no charge. Go at sunset or first thing on a winter morning, then warm up with a hot drink back in town.

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Photo: Mark Anderson, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)

More from our St Andrews guide

  • The ruined twin-turreted west end of St Andrews Cathedral and the square St Rule's Tower on green grass under a blue sky

    St Andrews Cathedral and St Rule's Tower

    The Pends, east end of the town centre

    The Pends, St Andrews KY16 9QL

    Wander the ruins of what was once Scotland's biggest church, then climb the narrow stair of St Rule's Tower for a view over the rooftops, harbour and sea.

    Why it's a good date: The grounds, with their old gravestones and towering gable ends, are free to walk round. The tower climb needs a ticket and isn't always open, so check before you go; it's worth it on a clear day.

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    Photo: Steven1991, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)

  • The ruined stone walls and tower of St Andrews Castle on a grassy clifftop above a sandy cove and the sea

    St Andrews Castle

    The Scores, town centre

    The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AR

    Explore the ruined bishops' castle on the cliffs, peer into its bottle dungeon and crawl through the mine and countermine tunnels dug during a siege in the 1540s.

    Why it's a good date: The tunnels are low, dark and a bit of an adventure, so wear shoes you don't mind getting dusty. It's a few minutes' walk from the cathedral, so do both in one go.

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    Photo: Dbrooke1829, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

  • The small arched stone Swilcan Bridge on the green fairway, with the grand stone R&A clubhouse behind

    The Old Course on a Sunday

    Golf Place, by the R&A clubhouse

    Golf Place, St Andrews KY16 9JE

    Walk out across the most famous golf course in the world on a Sunday, when it's closed to golf and opens up for anyone to stroll, and stand together on the little stone Swilcan Bridge.

    Why it's a good date: Free, a bit surreal and great for a photo. Keep off the greens, check the links' website in case a tournament is on, and carry on to West Sands afterwards.

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    Photo: Optograph, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)

From our guide to date ideas in St Andrews

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