Entry #6. More than just an ordinary town...
Trip Start
Mar 07, 2012
1
7
8
Trip End
May 20, 2012
St Andrews , Scotland, United Kingdom
Monday, April 23, 2012
Element of analysis: The town of St Andrews
Description: When you get to St Andrews, it looks a lot like many other towns, old buildings, some ruins and many tourists travelling around. After travelling to other towns around Scotland, I can tell you that there are many differences between St Andrews and the rest of the country. Geographically speaking the town is retreated on the coast, so when you get there you do feel like you are somewhere else. What makes a place special is mostly its people. First off all, it must be the only place in Scotland where you barely hear any Scottish accent. Then there is the golf, not only is there four golf courses in this not so big town, but every day you will see people walking around carrying golf bags even if it’s pouring rain. Because the town attracts a lot of tourists, there are restaurants everywhere and surprisingly usually full. The students are quite an interesting topic themselves, they take traditions really seriously and you might see some of them wearing their university gowns as they are walking down a street, just because they feel like doing so.
Analysis/Observation: St Andrews has several features and attractions that bring tourists every year and attract perspective students from all around the world. The university will celebrate its 600 anniversary next year, the oldest in Scotland and the third oldest in the United Kingdom. Even if the institution was renowned before, the fact that the prince William and Kate Middleton attended the university added to its popularity. The Town of St Andrews itself is one of the oldest in Scotland, its first name was Kilrymont and was changed when a monk brought the relics of Saint Andrews into the town. The three main attractions in town are the cathedral, the castle and the golf courses. The only remains of the cathedral are some ruins of the buildings built in the 1100 but you can still walk around as you want. The castle was built in the 1200, not for any king but for the bishops and even if the most part of it collapsed many years ago several tourists still visit it every day. The golf club was founded in 1754 and there are now four golf courses in town to host some local to international tournaments. One of the major professional tournaments, the British Open, is hosted here every five year. From amateur to professional, the courses are rarely empty.
