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Interesting Facts
- Among its many claims to fame, St Andrews was the first University (in 1862) to allow women to enroll as students. It has a number of famous graduates, including James II of Scotland (1430-1460); heir to the British throne, Prince William, who led to an increase in applications by 40%; the writer Fay Weldon; and leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party, Alex Salmond.
- In late spring, students organise the infamous Kate Kennedy's Procession. Dating back to the mid-19th century, its name derives from the niece of the renowned Bishop James Kennedy, founder of St Salvador's College. As an all-boys club, Kate is played by the prettiest first-year male student and, dressed in their red robes, the students form a procession through the town, collecting money for charity. The town's pubs are traditionally heaving that night!
- The man who inspired the routing out of the papes during reformation was John Knox, a strange breed of protestant called a Calvinist. Popular in Scotland, they are generally thought to be God-fearing, doom-ridden miseries who reject dancing and merry-making as the work of the devil. If you want to learn more about how Calvinism has bent the nation's character, East Neuk writer Bill Duncan's book, The Smiling School for Calvinists, is sure to raise a smirk with even the most po-faced Presbyterian.
- There is a Scottish saying, stating that if you want to eat with a Fifer you'll need to "sup with a lang (long) spoon". This has nothing to do with table manners but instead refers to the expression, "If you sup with the devil you need a long spoon".
- Pop star KT Tunstall hails from St Andrews. Her father was a physicist at the University.
- Famous Rectors (those who represent the students on the university's governing body) include John Cleese, Peter Ustinov, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Nicholas Parsons and Clement Freud.
- James II banned golf in 1457 for a short while because he felt those who played ought to be practicing their archery instead!
- The first St Andrews Open Championship was in 1873. Winners of the open win the Claret Jug. There have now been 27 Opens held on the Old Course. Lifters of the jug include Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods, who won at St Andrews in 2000 and again in 2005.
- The Old Course is the destination golf course for serious golfers and celebs alike. Sir Sean Connery, Bill Clinton, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Kevin Costner, Hugh Grant, Samuel L Jackson and Alice Cooper have crossed the Swilken Burn Bridge (just after the drive on the 18th hole).
- The Alfred Dunhill Links Cup is played on the links courses of St Andrews every October. Teams are made up of one professional and one amateur, who over the first three days play a round a day on one of the Old Course's sister courses (the New, the Jubilee, the Eden, the Strathtyrum and the Balgove – all of which are links courses) before playing the final round on the Old Course.
