St Andrews Tours

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

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.

Tours are run by Richard and his team of professional local guides
– Creating memorable moments every day –

Pease note: Tours not suitable for under 5s, walking difficulties, and excellent English is required*

Award-winning St Andrews tours, 7 days a week: St Andrews Old Course, town & golf tours + 8 private walking tour options.

All tours subject to availability.

Up to 8 St Andrews public walking tours a day, March to October.
Tour duration 1.15 hrs to 2 hrs depending on the tour.

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 –

Tour Guides wanted: Do you have what it takes to be a professional St Andrews tour guide? We currently have positions for professional guides to join our team. Details here

Choose from our selection of award-winning St Andrews tours…

St Andrews Old Course History Tour
(Our most popular tour)

Private St Andrews Old Course History Tour
(with English/French tour options)

St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course History Tour

Private St Andrews Town, Golf and Old Course History Tour

St Andrews Award-winning Walking Tours
See all the major sights – and have your photo on the bridge

Private St Andrews Town Walking Tour
Town only – without golf

With many awards, Richard is one of Scotland’s top tour guides, and with his team of 8 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

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

Tours 7 days a week

March
10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm*

April to September
10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 4 pm*

October
10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm*

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
Adults £18 (16+)
Child £15 (age 5-15)
Tours not suitable for under 5s

Private tour details below

*Check the booking calendar for availability

Getting here – transportation details

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

Please note private tour meeting point:
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:
Base rate 1 to 4 persons £120 English, £160 French
£15 each additional person up to 15
Please email for group rates for 16+ and availability
No concessions

Check the booking calendar for availability in English and French

Getting here – transportation details

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
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 has more about golf.

March
Friday to Monday 2pm*

April to September
Daily 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm*

October
Friday to Monday 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

Public tour rates:
Adults £20 (16+)
Child £17 (age 5-15)
Tours not suitable for under 5s

* Check the booking calendar for availability

Getting here – transportation details

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).

Private tours 7 days a week

March
Daily 12pm, 2pm*

April to September
Daily 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm*

October
Friday to Monday 12pm, 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.
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
Base rate £140 for 1 to 4 persons
£15 each additional person up to 10
Please email for group rates for 11+
No concessions

* Check the booking calendar for availability

Getting here – transportation details

St Andrews Award-winning Walking Tours
Tour duration approx 1 hour 30 minutes

Public tours with a private feel
Explore a remarkable history like no other

*
Town, University, Cathedral, Palace & Old Course
– with photos on the Swilkan Bridge*

7 days a week
Up to 4 tours a day

April to September
Daily 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm

Public tours with a private feel
Explore a remarkable history like no other

Explore a heritage filled with influence and power that led to St Andrews becoming one of the most important religious seats in the western world… Then theirs Scotland’s oldest university, and of course… the golf!

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 (16+)
Child £13 (age 5-15)
Tours not suitable for under 5s

*Exclude televised tournament days

All tours unsuitable for under 5s, walking difficulties inc walking aids and a very good command of the English language is mandatory for all participants.

* Check the booking calendar for availability

Getting here – transportation details

Private St Andrews Town Walking Tour without golf
Duration approx 2 hours

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.

Tours 7 days a week

March
Daily 12pm, 2pm*

April to September
Daily 12 noon, 2pm, 4pm*

October
Friday to Monday 12pm, 2pm*

Private tour rates
Base rate £140 for 1 to 4 persons
£15 each additional person up to 10
Please email for group rates for 11+
No concessions

Tour meeting/end point
Starting and finish point in the centre of town is outside The Adamson restaurant, South Street.

* Check the booking calendar for availability

Getting here – transportation details

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 Tour (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

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.

Professional Guides for the 2026 season…

Good hourly rate. Ideal for retirees with no underlying health issues – a love of the outdoors, a professional ethic as standard and a sound knowledge of both the golf and the town.

If you have the qualities to be a professional St Andrews tour guide, we want to hear from you.

email: contact@standrewstours.com