Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The Northeast of Scotland, with St. Andrews on its edge, enjoys more sunshine than most parts of the UK (it ranks second, with 1400 hours per year compared to Southeast England's 1770 hours) and with markedly less rainfall than Scotland's West (800mm per year compared to 3000mm). In summer, the days are long and the air is fresh and clean. However, the North Sea gives you colder winters and some of the most arresting winds you'll experience – in summer as well as winter!

The summer months of June, July and August see the warmest temperatures, at an average of 19 degrees Celsius, while the winter months average 5-7 degrees.

An unusual phenomenon, unique to this part of Scotland (or at least the name is), is the haar – a sea fog which creeps about even on warm or bright days, rendering things that you know are there totally invisible.

The time zone is GMT. Daylight saving hours, GMT +1, lasts from the final Sunday in March to the Saturday before the final Sunday in October.

Important telephone numbers:
SOS Alarm Emergency Services: 999
Police (non-emergency): 01334 418900
Out-of-hours pharmacy: check the local paper or your hotel for information on which chemist is providing cover.

Currency exchange:
Royal Bank of Scotland, 113 South Street, St Andrews. Tel: 01334 472181
Clydesdale Bank, 76 South Street, St Andrews. Tel: 01334 472205
HBS Bank of Scotland, 1 Queens Gardens, St Andrews. Tel: 01334 410300

Coming & Going

To Edinburgh by plane: St Andrews is served by Edinburgh (main airlines: Aer Lingus, BMI baby, BMI British, Midland, British Airways, Continental Airlines, EasyJet, Flybe, KLM, Ryanair and SAS), which is just 84km (52 miles/1-1.5 hours) away.

To Dundee by plane: There is an excellent Scotairways service to London City Airport from the small but perfectly formed Dundee Airport, 22.5km (14 miles/25 mins) away. A taxi to or from Dundee will cost around £25.

From Edinburgh Airport by Train: Take the airport bus (£5 return/£3 single) from the airport to Waverley Station. Take an Aberdeen or Dundee-bound train (£16.50 return/£11.70 single) to Leuchars Station. Get a taxi from the station; this costs around £10 and takes ten minutes. Alternatively, a bus leaves outside the station at 36 and 56 minutes past each hour and costs £1.50.

From Edinburgh by Taxi: Taxi stands are right outside the terminals and you won't usually have to wait more than five minutes for a cab to St Andrews. Alternatively, arrange a transfer with your hotel or contact a St Andrews firm to arrange a pick-up (see numbers below). Approximate price: £60.

From Edinburgh by Hire Car: There are number of car hire firms based at Edinburgh Airport. Head for the Forth Road Bridge and the M90, then turn on to the A91 and follow the signs to St Andrews.

Car Hire
Avis: 0870 606100 www.avis.co.uk
Europcar: 0870 6075000 www.europcar.co.uk
Hertz: 0131 3331019 www.hertz.com
National Car Rentals: 0131 3331922 www.nationalcar.co.uk

Making Your Way

Small and friendly, everything within the town is within easy padding distance. For those places outside the town, buses, trains or taxis are easy to find out about: just ask at the Tourist Information Centre or your accommodation.
It can be tricky finding a parking space in the town centre. Local shops sell parking vouchers that allow up to two hours of parking. There is a long-term car park at the eastern entrance to the town, which costs nothing.

Taxis
St Andrews Taxis: 01334 477272
Town and Country Taxis: 01334 840444
Williamsons Taxis: 01334 839279
Jay Taxis: 01334 476622
Club Cars: 01334 479900
Golf City Taxis: 01334 477788

News & Views

The daily newspaper is the Courier (www.thecourier.co.uk). The weekly newspaper is the St Andrews Citizen (www.fifenow.co.uk). Fifenow also has listings for what's on.

Quirks & Curiosities

Don't be surprised if you see young gentlemen swooshing around in red robes: the students here love their academic dress. The majority of students come from England or the United States, making the indigenous St Andreans seem few and far between.

Getting Your Bearings

The St Andrews Tourist Information Centre has an abundance of information on places to visit and golf courses, as well as those in the outlying villages such as Anstruther, Crail and Dundee. You can also obtain information on bus and train times as well as where to hire a bike, ride horses, go sailing, etc.

St Andrews Tourist Information Centre
70 Market Street, St Andrews KY16 9NU
Tel: 01334 472021 Fax: 01334 478422
www.standrews.co.uk
Open January-December

For bus or train times in Fife, call Traveline 0870 608 2 608 (daily, 8am-8pm) or visit www.traveline.org.uk .

For a free copy of the Getting Around Fife travel map or park & ride information, call 01592 413380 (during office hours) or visit www.fifedirect.org.uk.

Common Courtesies

Tipping is very welcome in St Andrews' restaurants, unless service is already included in the bill. The unofficial rule is that the extra amount depends on the level of service; pleased diners leave about 10-15%. Around 20% is given only for exceptional service. If you're in a bar it's not usual to tip your bartender or waitress, but always very much welcome!

If you are pleased with the level of service given by your maid, porter or concierge, do tip them. Taxi drivers can be rewarded with a 10% tip (or by rounding the fare up to an acceptable level) if they have been on time and polite.