I’m not a golfer (in fact, I don’t really like the sport) but its hard not to be awe struck being in this mecca of golf. It’s known as the home if golf. St. Andrews claims to have founded the sport. The first recorded round of golf played here was in 1553. In the Middle Ages, St Andrews traded with the Dutch and some believe the Scots adjusted a golf-like game played on ice to the fields of Scotland’s east coast, which were not suitable for farming. Did you know that there are 18 holes in a golf course because that’s how many fit into the Old Course at St. Andrews? The Old Course hosts the British Open every 5 years but is open to the public (if you have a handicap of 24 for men & 36 for women AND have a reservation or are lucky enough to win the daily lottery for a spot). It was men’s only until 2014. A favourite Scottish joke: “Balls” said the Queen. “If only I had two, I’d be king.” The king laughed - he had to.
On Sundays the Old Course is closed to golfers (the new course right beside it is open) and the public is allowed to walk it, with their dogs! I was shocked to see that and even more shocked to see doggie poop scattered on the course. Valerie & I lasted to the 6th hole while the guys carried on to the 14 th. We came across a couple from PEI. The fellow was quite happy he found a ball on his journey. Shortly after we came across a guy looking for his ball in the brush ( we figured he was golfing the new course and lost his ball). We thought the PEI guy had taken it - Got a good chuckle about that. Vic & Kevin helped the guy look for his ball and Vic found one. The fellow said it wasn’t his but took it anyhow. Later, on our way back to the 18th hole we saw the same fellow rummaging around in other brush too far away from the new course. So this guy was walking the Old Course looking for balls. We were wrong about the whole scenario - another chuckle.
We stopped for lunch and strolled along the sea to the St. Andrews Castle and St. Andrews Cathedral where we took in the sights and made our way back to the Old Course, stopping for some more staples (toilet paper & wine). St Andrews is also known as the place where Prince William and Kate met at University. The town definitely has a university atmosphere. The buildings are spread out (like U of T) and brought back memories of out university days.
Back in the car, we decided to stop at the secret bunker, Scotland’s best kept secret. This is hidden 100 ft below a farmhouse and is 2 levels comprising 24,000 sq ft of 10 ft thick reinforced concrete, and is where central government and military commanders would have run the country had the UK been attacked and nuclear war broken out. Interesting stuff.
Then back in the car and on to Ansruther, prounounced ENT-ster, a fishing village in East Neuk. We walked along the harbour and stopped in a local pub and enjoyed some Tennents beer while listening to local musicians. We were the only tourists in the place. Then we had dinner and it was back to the Villa. Again, an early night. Valerie & Kevin have to get up early tomorrow to pick up Russ & Laura in Edinburgh.