St Andrews Tours
– Creating memorable moments every day –
Award-winning St Andrews tours, 7 days a week:
St Andrews landmark walking tours, Old Course, town & golf tours.
+ Many private walking tour options for groups large and small.
Est. 2014 by Richard Falconer
St Andrews longest running and leading sightseeing tour operator.
We were also only the 4th tour in Scotland to receive 5 stars via the Scottish Tourist Board.
Pease note: Tours not suitable for under 5s, walking difficulties, and excellent English is required*
Featured on Matt Adams chat show Fairways of Life – Scotland Trip, July 2026.
Matt’s US Golf show is watched by 1% of the world’s population.
Also recommended by Rick Steves
“We just wanted to say we thoroughly enjoyed it! This was our first ever trip to St Andrews, and we are so glad to have found your tour company through Rick Steve’s guidebook recommendation.”
The Peters family, Colorado & New Jersey, USA, 2026
Tours are run by Richard and his team of 11 professional local guides
- 58 daily St Andrews walking tour options, throughout the year..
- Including up to 31 daily private walking tour options.
- Tour duration 1.15 hrs to 2 hrs depending on the tour.
All tours subject to availability. Details below or book here
Over 100,000 explorers have now been on Richard’s St Andrews tours…
When will you come on yours?
Book early as many tours sell out
– We never charge booking fees –
British Open
St Andrews 11-18 July 2027
All tours apart from the Old Course tours are taking place. The Old Course part of the other tours will go down the Links Road following the 18th fairway and finish near the 17th and Swilkan Bridge.
You won’t need a ticket for the Open to attend these tours.
Choose from our selection of award-winning St Andrews tours…
St Andrews Original Walking Tours
Experience all the major sights – town, cathedral, palace & Old Course
– Public & private tour options available –
Private St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course History Tour
NB: Option 3. of this tour follows a similar route to the St Andrews original Walking Tour but with more golfing depth
Private tours with Richard
With many awards, Richard is one of Scotland’s top tour guides, and with his team of 11 professional guides leading the way through St Andrews diverse charms, you can now guarantee an exclusive private tour with Richard for any of his St Andrews tours.
Click here for more details
St Andrews Tours… the details
St Andrews Walking Tours
Comprehensive guided walking tours covering all major St Andrews landmarks with professional guides.
St Andrews Award-winning Walking Tours
– Gain an overview of everything St Andrews –
Tour duration approx 1 hour 30 minutes
*
Public and private tour options exploring all the major sites as the backdrop to a remarkable history like no other….
*
Town, University, Cathedral, Palace & Old Course
– with photos on the Swilkan Bridge –
(Excluding televised tournament/championship days & height of season busy periods)
*
Tours available throughout the year
April to September
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm*
October
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
November to March
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm*
*
| Explore a heritage of spiritual influence and religious power that led to St Andrews becoming one of the most important seats in the western world leading to Scotland’s oldest university, and in the same breath, the development of a simple stick and ball game. |
Meeting point
Outside The Adamson Restaurant, 127 South Street.
Tour end point
The tour finishes by the 17th green and Old Course Hotel/Jigger Inn – for refreshments (not included)
Public tour rates
Adults £15 (age 16+)
Child £13 (age 5-15)
Private tour rates
£140 – up to 2 persons £40 pp thereafter – no concessions
Group rates available for all tours
All tours unsuitable for under 5s, walking difficulties inc walking aids + a very good command of the English language is mandatory for all participants.
*
*Check the booking calendar for availability
St Andrews Old Course History Tour
Bucket list award-winning walking tours sharing golfing history, development and anecdotes through this iconic setting. Available as a public and private tour.
Our most popular tour
St Andrews Old Course History Tour
– for the golfer, inc golf origins –
Regular tours 75 mins approx
Private tours 90 mins approx
Timeline of golf and Old Course foundation and progression. Find out about adjoining Old Course landmarks, early golfing pioneers, memorable moments and much more.
Each tour covers the iconic 18th green, 1st tee, 1st/18th fairways and the 17th green (Road Hole) plus photos on the famed Swilkan Bridge.*
*Excludes televised tournament days and height of season busy periods.
*
Public tours throughout the year
April to September
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm*
October
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
November to February
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm*
March
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
*
Regular tour meeting and end point
Meet outside Hotel du Vin, 40 The Scores.
Tour finishes by the 17th Green, near the Old Course Hotel.
Regular tour rates with Richard’s guides
Adults £20 (16+)
Child £17 (age 5-15)
Tours not suitable for under 5s
Private tour details below
Private St Andrews Old Course History Tour
Sharing golfing history, development and anecdotes through the iconic setting of the 17th, 18th and 1st tee/fairways of the Old Course.
Private St Andrews Old Course History Tour
– in English and now also in French
– for the golfer, inc golf origins –
90 mins
Same tour details as our regular Old Course tour
*
Private tours throughout the year
April to September
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm*
October
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
November to February
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm*
March
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
*
Please note private tour meeting point is different:
Tours meet outside the Jigger Inn, Old Course Hotel (by the 17th fairway) and finishes by the Old Course 18th green and Old Course Shop.
Private tour rates with Richard’s guides
Base rate £120 for 1 to 2 persons
£40 each for 3rd and 4th person
£25 each additional person up to 6
Please email for group rates for 11+
No concessions
*
*Check the booking calendar for availability
The following tours feature all the major landmarks through the town. With your professional local guide you will discover a remarkable deep rooted history and heritage far surpassing the game the town is famously known for.
St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course Tour
Golf and St Andrews are inseparable, so on this tour you will hear about the historical foundations of both amid iconic settings.
St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course Tour
For the golfer and non-golfer
Also available as an exclusive private tour variation
Details below
This golf heritage tour is a highlight of many a Scottish vacation
Not suitable for walking difficulties – walking slowly
| “An amazing walking tour through St Andrews, with a witty and knowledgable guide. The history of St Andrews is so much more than just golf!” |
1 hour 45 minutes approx
This tour isn’t all about golf, but there is a lot of golf on this tour!
Entwining the history of the town with the inseparable development of golf, there is something for everyone on this tour.
Following introductions outside Tiger Woods and Justine Timberlake’s new establishment, we move onto Scotland’s oldest university with honorary degrees for golfing greats and a little about William and Kate.
Within the cathedral grounds we visit iconic graves of golfing pioneers: Old and Young Tom Morris, Jamie Anderson and Allan Robertson with early golf and Open development.
It is then a scenic stroll to the Old Course with the Palace en route. The elevated panoramic views as we approach the Links gives an ideal opportunity to explore the game and head to the Swilkan Bridge for photos* with a little history and anecdotes along the way.
*Excludes televised tournament days.
*
Note from Richard:
Between the Old Course tour and this tour, the Old Course part of the tour follows the same route but is not as involved. While overall, and alongside town and university history, with this tour being 30 minutes longer it incorporates more about golf.
*
Public tours throughout the year
April to September
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm*
October
Friday to Monday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
November to March
Friday to Monday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm*
*
Meeting point
Outside T-Squared Social, 117 North St, St Andrews, KY16 9AD
Owned by Tiger Woods and Justine Timberlake, this is a cinema, bar and restaurant with virtual golf and other sports
Tour end point
The tour finishes by the 17th green and Old Course Hotel/Jigger Inn
Regular rates with Richard’s guides:
Adults £25 (16+)
Child £22 (age 5-15)
Tours not suitable for under 5s
Private St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course Tour
Golf and St Andrews are inseparable, so on this tour you will hear about the historical foundations of both amid iconic settings.
Private St Andrews Town, Golf & Old Course Tour
Once in a lifetime chance to experience it all on your own personal St Andrews walking tour, creating memorable moments for a bucket list special occasion.
| “Private tour…such great information. We could ask questions as they arose. We walked around the city and onto the course. Our guide also gave recommendations for what to do after the tour.” |
Duration approx 2 hours
As per the regular tour, golf incorporation features graves of early golfing pioneers and photos on the Swilkan Bridge –
excluding televised tournament/championship days & height of season busy periods.
*
Public tours throughout the year
April to September
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm*
October
Friday to Monday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
November to March
Friday to Monday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm*
*
Tour meeting/end point
As a variation of the regular tour, you have a choice of start and finish tour locations:
Option 1. (Most popular)
Meet outside the Jigger Inn, Old Course Hotel and finish back at the Old Course 18th green by the Old Course Shop for merchandise.**
Option 2.
Meet outside the Jigger Inn, Old Course Hotel and finish in the centre of town outside the Adamson Restaurant, South Street.**
(The Old Course Hotel is by the 17th fairway of the Old Course which is a mile from the centre of town.)
Option 3.
This option is the same route as the St Andrews award-winning Walking Tour but with more golfing depth:
Commencing in the centre of town outside the Adamson Restaurant in South Street and finishing outside the Jigger Inn, Old Course Hotel.**
** You can give your preferred option when booking.
Private tour rates with Richard’s guides
Base rate £140 for 1 to 2 persons
£40 each for 3rd and 4th person
£25 each additional person up to 6
Please email for group rates for 11+
No concessions
*
*Check the booking calendar for availability
St Andrews Walking Tours without golf
Comprehensive guided walking tours covering major St Andrews landmarks with professional guides.
St Andrews Town only Walking Tours without golf
Duration approx 1 hour 30 minutes
Through town and city, this personal tour allows for a leisurely appreciation of St Andrews many interweaving facets as you explore its depth of history from 500 BC and a tourism heritage from 736 AD.
*
Public and private tours throughout the year
April to September
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm*
October
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm*
November to March
Daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm*
*
Regular tour rates with Richard’s guides
Adults £15 (age 16+)
Child £13 (age 5-15)
All tours unsuitable for under 5s, walking difficulties inc walking aids + a very good command of the English language is mandatory for all participants.
Private tour rates with Richard’s guides
£140 – up to 2 persons
£40 pp thereafter
No concessions
Group rates available for all tours
Tour meeting/end point
Starting and finishing in the centre of town outside the Adamson restaurant, South Street.
*
* Check the booking calendar for availability
Private & Exclusive St Andrews Tours with Richard Falconer
Four informed and insightful St Andrews private touring options
Walking tours with Richard
Founder of St Andrews Tours
Promoting facts/dispelling popular myths
Richard is one of Scotland’s top walking tour operators and the most prolific tour guide in St Andrews, with many awards and over 43,000 hours of touring experience through town and Old Course.
Incorporating over 40 years of St Andrews historical research, Richard was also an early 80’s Old Course caddie, a professional artist, web designer and local bestselling author for 13 years – with 7 books covering local interest.
With personal recommendations for Richard in Rick Steves guide books, secure your personal tour and explore St Andrews up close & uncut…
Choose from:
Richard’s Private Old Course Tour
Richard’s Private St Andrews Town, Golf & Old Course Tour
Richard’s in-depth Walking Tours (town only or town and course)
Email your preferred tour, date, time and number of attendees for Richard’s availability and rates.
St Andrews Tours
Booking details
For all enquiries, small or large group private/bespoke tours inc large groups/coach rates email: richard@standrewstours.com
Refunds
A full refund is available up to 24 hours prior to tour commencement, or if the tour is cancelled by the tour director due to potential extreme weather. Within 24 hours no refunds are available but a reschedule to another available tour is possible if you have contacted us before your tour start time that you will not be there in time.
The public St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course tour requires a minimum of two persons, the system then opens for single bookings.
Email your preferred date and time and we will connect if others check in.
Please read before you book
- All tours start on time – they do not wait and no catch up – You must contact beforehand about running late for potential reschedule
- Participants must have a fluent command of the English language
- Tours not suitable for those with walking difficulties (walking slowly). No mobility scooters, zimmers
- Tours not suitable for under 5s
- No luggage dropoff
- Only guide dogs allowed
Details also on your email confirmation.
Booking Calendar
Check availability and book here
Please note
For private tours, if the date/time is greyed out, contact for availability and we shall try and accommodate.
For public tours, if the date/time is greyed out the tour is either sold out or unavailable, so only contact as an addition to an existing booking.
Books by Richard Falconer
click the books for details and outlets
New book release coming soon
History of St Andrews
By your host, guide &
bestselling local author
Richard Falconer
NONFICTION
Covering some 500 pages and fully illustrated
This volume will be available in hardback, softcover and Kindle.
If you would like to be notified when Richard’s book becomes available, click here to email your note of interest.
St Andrews Ghost Tours
Set amid the backdrop of St Andrews extraordinary spiritual history, these nonfiction educational tours explore a wealth of localised testimony as points of reference to explain global phenomena.
St Andrews Ghost Tours
Exclusive | educational | nonfiction
90 mins
Private tours only
These tours are aimed at educating those who HAVE experienced.
Richard is also a global authority on the paranormal
and the local authority for the same.
Following research spanning 6 decades,
St Andrews has nearly 400 ghosts & 208 haunted locations.
These are published in Richard’s books along with over 2000 paranormal experiences.
With no gimmicks and no stories,
this is one of the top Ghost tours in the world for a reason.
Very limited and exclusive availability
