St Andrews & the Kingdom of Fife
1 day tour
Welcome to the ancient Kingdom of Fife, where the beautiful coastline is humbled by medieval ruins and history runs deep in every nook and cranny.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Forth Bridges - An incredible engineering feat. A gorgeous setting. And a UNESCO World Heritage site.
St Andrews Cathedral - This ruined cathedral was once one of Scotland’s most magnificent buildings.
St Andrews Old Town - Immerse yourself in 1,000 years of history as you explore the winding streets and ancient castle.
The Old Course - Golf was so popular in Scotland, it was banned in the 15th century. And nowhere was it more popular than in St Andrews, ‘the Home of Golf’.
Historic Village of Falkland - Wander through this serene town in the Kingdom of Fife which boasts a beautiful palace and links to the Outlander series.
The Kelpies Monument - At 100ft tall, these horses are hard to miss and are now an icon of the landscape.
Your journey
When was the last time you stared in awe? The Kelpies monument has a way about stopping people in their tracks. Standing at 100ft tall, they are the largest equine sculpture in the world. A dedication to the heavy horses of the Scottish industry and economy.
And in St Andrews, you'll find monuments of a different kind. Its cathedral was once one of Scotland's most magnificent buildings. And though it stands in ruins today, there is still something so mesmerising about it. Haunting, too. That's the whole town of St Andrews. Elegant architecture backed by sweeping coastal views. Castle ruins nestled alongside an ancient golf course.
There is so much history, myth, and beauty on this tour, you won't know where to begin.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 08:15 (tour departs at 08:30) - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Pick Up, Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station (Stance between 23 to 32), Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW
18:30 - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Drop Off, Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, and seniors over 60
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Attraction entry tickets
Itinerary
Do you believe in monsters?
If you do, best to not stray too close to water while you're here in Scotland. We're not talking about Nessie. We're talking about the kelpies, deadly shape-shifting creatures that often appear as horses, luring people to a watery death. Your first stop on this tour is to see the Kelpies Monument and you might just be grateful that they're not this enormous in 'real life'.
Though that's not what this monument was built for. Created by artist Andy Scott, these icons are modelled after Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron, a symbol of the lineage of heavy horses throughout Scottish history that helped shape the surrounding region of Falkirk.
Leaving behind these awe-inspiring creatures, it's time for a pleasant drive through the rolling countryside of the Kingdom of Fife to Falkland. Falkland Palace dominates this old village, and was one of the main residences of the old Royal family of Scotland, the Stewarts (Stuarts). Aside from the palace, the village is simply one of the most beautiful in Scotland with an array of old cottages and narrow winding streets. Not to mention the kick Outlander fans will get when they recognise this as the location for 1940s Inverness in the popular TV series.
Next up is where you've been waiting for: the medieval town of St Andrews. St Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland, and according to legend, his remains were washed up on the Fife coast. St Andrews is also home to the third oldest university in Britain and a beautiful ruined castle perched on a cliff. You have around three hours to explore this fascinating town.
As you head back towards Glasgow, you stop in at Queensferry Crossing, and get a great view of one of Scotland's greatest man-made landmarks, the Forth Rail Bridge.
You arrive back in Glasgow in the early evening.
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.