Location: St. Andrews
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Things to do in St. Andrews, Scotland: The Best Private Tours
St Andrews (Latin: S. Andrea(s); Scots: Saunt Aundraes; Scottish Gaelic: Cill Rìmhinn) is a town on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Dundee and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Edinburgh. The town is home to the University of St Andrews, the third oldest university in the English-speaking world and the oldest in Scotland. According to some rankings, it is ranked as the third best university in the United Kingdom, behind Oxbridge. The University is an integral part of the burgh and during term time students make up approximately one third of the town's population. St Andrews has a population of 16,800 (in 2012).
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1. Edinburgh City Centre and St Andrews Private Driving Day Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Planning to tour Edinburg and St Andrews? You've come to the right place! Don't just depend on guide books, work with an Edinburgh city expert - work with me. I'll share with you the real legends and stories associated with places we visit and Edinburgh's characters, and show you Edinburgh and St. Andrews like only a local expert can! This eight hour tour will include all of the most popular and main tourist attractions that Edinburgh and St Andrews have to offer including some spots you won't find in any guide books! This tour will take you to the home of Golf. We will take in Leith Links, Brittania, The Scottish Parliament, The Palace of Holyrood House, St Giles Cathedral, The Royal Mile and of course Edinburgh Castle! While in St Andrews we will visit the Ancient and Royal Golf Club, Swilken Bridge and Cathedral. We will also travel through the historic New and Old Towns while in Edinburgh and take in a couple of sites on the way.
Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel/port pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Bottled water
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch
Reviewed By SidMaxwell
Kevin arranged a custom version of his St Andrews trip for us to add multiple stops at film locations for Outlander — our favorite TV series. Kevin is the expert on the show and is full of interesting details about the filming locations across Scotland and the show itself. I’m re-watching the early seasons now that I have his insights. We also enjoyed the St Andrews visit of course. Kevin was patience and great with the children and is simply a great tour guide. He is not only very knowledgeable but he is considerate and kind. Highly recommend.
2. St Andrews Luxury Private Tour with Scottish Driver
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Your St Andrews Luxury Private Sightseeing Excursion takes in the "Home of Golf" along with the renowned Distillery at Kingsbarns using a luxury Mercedes Benz vehicle and a local chauffeur with years of Scottish experience. Your day is planned to cover all the sights and attractions of St Andrew at your pace, with no waiting for other passengers. Your excursion will also allow you to sample a Dram of finest Scotch Single Malt, and as it is your day if there is something you really want to see we will ensure it is added to your itinerary. With so many places to visit our sightseeing tour allows you to sit back and relax in luxury taking in the stunning scenery and if you want to stop you can. Just remember this is Your Day, Your Way! With Door to Door service from Edinburgh, complimentary Bottled Water and Wi-Fi Access you truly are getting that First-Class experience.
Inclusions: Private Excursion (1 to 6 Passengers), Door to Door Service, Cruise Ship Pickup and Drop-Off, Services & Stories of a Scottish Driver, Wi-Fi Access, Bottled water
Exclusions: Entrance Fees to Visitor Attractions, Gratuities (Passenger Discretion)
Reviewed By Vic_Polly011
Where to start? After a year of planning our itinerary with Nick of Aura Journeys, we put it into play with 8 days of touring with William. William is professional, but he knows how to have fun with you after he sizes you up. His humor was like spending a week with your best friend from college. Subtle, but pointed, we traded barbs and laughed away the week. No worries about spending a week with a stranger when your guide is William! His knowledge of the area was deep but if he didn't have an answer to your question, he'd look it up and have it for you quickly. He soon got to know what we liked and what we didn't, from meal times and toilet stops, to type of food and sightseeing preferences. We had daily itineraries but we would often adjust based on our own energy level or suggestions from William. Nothing was ever a problem for William. We went to several places William had never been to and he thanked US for taking him there. We ended as good friends and hated to leave him at the end of our journey. Highlights: * Always arrived early with a clean van and lots of water * Very safe driver * Served as photographer when asked - we finally have trip pictures with both of us * Flexible and accommodating * Knowledgeable - great suggestions for restaurants, activities, places to visit and places to skip * He did all the work and let us be tourists rather than trying to drive and read guidebooks while we flew past sights. Worth every penny on this 50th wedding anniversary trip
3. Kingdom of Fife & St Andrews Full-Day Guided Private Tour in a Premium Minivan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
The Kingdom of Fife is a beautiful area to the North of Edinburgh. With its industrious towns in the south west to the picturesque fishing villages of the ‘East Neuk’ and the world-famous home of golf and University town of St Andrews. Fife has a varied and interesting history and is an important region in history and in modern Scotland. Book this bespoke private tour and see more of the sights of this beautiful area complete with the guidance or your knowledgeable driver & guide. Our tours are conducted in our premium Mercedes Minivans with plenty of baggage space, air conditioning and complimentary water for each guest. It is also possible to visit one of two fantastic distilleries on this tour at Kingsbarns or Lindores Abbey.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes, Kilt-wearing professional local guide, WiFi on board
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 829waleeda
We had a fantastic time touring and learning about Edinburgh. Alexander had amazing knowledge of the city and made the whole day really enjoyable. The tour was very well organised and the Mercedes minivan was very clean. This tour is a must for anyone who really wants to explore/learn more about Edinburgh in a short amount of time.
4. Edinburgh to St Andrews driving tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
On this private tour we customise the day to suit your needs, whether its about golf, history, Scotland's oldest university, local food and drink or quaint fishing villages St Andrews has something for everyone and is a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of city.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch, Coffee and/or Tea, Alcoholic Beverages
Reviewed By FormanFive
We had such a wonderful day with Will, even with the rain! (He taught us the word "smirr" for a light rain, which I misheard as smurf rain, which I think amused him). We are a family of 5 expat Americans living in the UK, looking for a private tour during these times of Covid. He had hand sanitiser in the van and was appropriately masked up and social distanced throughout the day. Will took us to an excellent coffee shop to get us started (he has great recommendations for coffee shops in Edinburgh), then guided us through Stirling Castle. He had asked us what we hoped to see and do during the day in advance so he could plan the day out and he went out of his way to try to hunt down a Highland cow for us, despite the off season (most are tucked away in barns during the wet season). He was super flexible for when the kids got worn out at a place or the road was closed to a site. The best part was chatting about a tour we took to Stonehenge and he piped up, "Want to see some standing stones you can touch?" Not 5 minutes later he had driven us to an isolated farmers field where we got to touch these beautiful old stones, standing in the mist. He took us to a very tasty place for hot pies and chips for lunch and was great about letting us eat in the van while he took a walk in the rain, since Covid restrictions meant no eating in restaurants and the weather was not great. And he was great about pointing out when we could and could not take a bathroom break, so we didn't end up with any uncomfortable bladders. All in all, it was a great day thanks to Will's stories and enthusiasm. We wouldn't hesitate to use his services again one day.
5. Authentic Private Tours of Scotland
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Completely flexible guided tours. We ensure our tours are crafted to our guests needs and wants. We always treat each guest as individuals and are sensitive to their wishes in order to make an unforgettable experience and lasting memories.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Personal Scottish guide.
Exclusions: Tea, coffee, drinks, snack, meals and attraction entry fees.
6. Reformation and Church History tour of St Andrews and Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Led by Bible believing Scottish Christians, we will drive you through beautiful rural Fife to St Andrews, stopping at places along the way relevant to the Reformation and Scottish Church history. We will then return to Edinburgh to visit sites of significance in the city. We are a non-profit ministry of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Any funds remaining after direct costs are paid, are used to facilitate church planting in Scotland. Our tours are not merely sight-seeing arrangements. Our goal is to encourage you in your Christian faith, and to point out how and where the people and places you learn about honoured Jesus Christ in everything they did and how you can do the same today. Our tour guides are Bible-believing Christians who care deeply about helping to build up your faith. We are also happy to add in any other location you would like to visit within a reasonable distance. We are 5 star rated on Tripadvisor.
Inclusions: Tour Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By firsttimeround
I was provided the tour by Jimmy. I must add correspondence with his wife was very kind and welcoming.????Jimmy was very knowledgeable and passionate about the reformations in Scottish History.Those who suffered,were tortured and ultimately died for their religious belief that " CHRIST" was their one true king. I was shown the inside of important buildings which had valuable information about the Reformation. I was shown key locations and landmarks in the city ie. A cathedral, chapel, stone markers and more! This tour for me was worth every penny!! It's rich with information and leaves one with a sense of reflection of what sacrifices were made in history because of ones faith .The sacrifices should not be forgotten and Jimmy helps keep this alive.Historically Jimmy could explain the succession of each royal king and their position as it related to the church at the time .At no time did I feel overwhelmed with information. I strongly recommend this tour.As a follower of JESUS CHRIST this made my trip to Edinburgh complete.????
7. St Andrews Small Group Day Tour from Edinburgh
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Forth Bridges - An incredible art of engineering featuring a gorgeous setting whilst also being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Anstruther – A quaint traditional fishing village with charming cobbled streets. 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. St Andrews Castle - was a bishop’s palace, a fortress and a state prison during its 450-year history. The Old Course - Situated in St. Andrews it was known as ‘The Home of Golf’ as it was incredibly popular in this town. Golf became so popular that it became banned in 15th century. Historic Village of Falkland - This quaint town in the Kingdom of Fife boasts a beautiful palace and a serene setting. • Full-day small group tour from Edinburgh • Mercedes V Class • Kids friendly (0+ age) • Small group tour with a maximum of 6 passengers • Tour can be customised
Inclusions: Driver as a guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: Admission fees, Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities
Reviewed By meghanc746
Ed was the perfect guide for a Girl's Day Trip. We had some extenuating circumstances on a previous tour earlier in the week that precluded us from completing it. We decided to try a private tour for the end of our trip and so glad we did. We had a few ideas of what we wanted to see and he was able to help us customize a day trip to see as many of those items as we could. He was a perfect tour guide and so patient and kind when we wanted to stop and look at various things and places (hairy cows and shopping!). We never felt rushed during our trip and he was also able to guide us through several castles so we go to see everything in our allotted time. Had we toured these places by ourselves I feel like we would have missed so much. We had a great time on our day trip and I would highly recommend Ed for a private tour of Scotland and the country side.
8. St Andrews Golf History Tours - Private Tours Only
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Tour times 12 noon and 2pm, 7 days a week throughout the year (check booking calendar for any exclusions). Your guide for all of the tours is author and historian Richard Falconer who is endorsed by noted St Andrews Golf Historian and author David Joy. These are golf orientated historical tours of St Andrews, giving an all-round insight into what makes St Andrews so unique, from the golf to the wealth of history through the town. St Andrews is not only the 'Home of Golf', it has Scoltand's first University and the ruins of the Cathedral and Archbishops Palace was once the seat of the Catholic Church for over eight centuries. The golfing enthusiast generally knows a lot about golf in St Andrews, so these tours feature lesser known aspects and appeals to all who have an appreciation of the game and an interest in history.
Inclusions: Local guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By AniaB951
A strong 5 star rating for the small group tour (was just me and my friend). The guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. He gave us great portion of information and history of this area. A great tour to take on the first day of your visit to St Andrews. Highly recommended!
9. St Andrews History Tours - Private Tours Only
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
This Private Tour is scheduled at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm, 7 days a week (check booking calendar for any exclusions). Your guide Richard Falconer is an author and historian of St Andrews and conducts all the history tours himself. Having researched St Andrews for a period spanning six decades you will find a lot of previously lost or forgotten history about the town. Including how the town and University were looking for the lost treasure of the Cathedral for 50 years until 1929, and what Richard has uncovered through his researches over the last 40+ years. The tour incorporates all the historic quarters of the town apart from the golf course which is for another tour! You will see two locations where Mary Queen of Scots stayed for her holidays to St Andrews. Explore the historic ancient City and learn about the spiritual and sometimes barbarous elements. St Andrews is unique on many fronts, with many a noted golfer, Hollywood stars and royalty spending time here.
Inclusions: In-Person guide
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By FrankGums
We enjoyed learning more about St Andrews as it is a place we have visited in the past. We found it interesting and engaging and it gave us lots of food for thought. Many thanks for an enjoyable evening Richard.
10. St Andrews Ghost Tours - Private Tours Only
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 201 reviews
This Private Tour is scheduled at 4pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm & 9pm, 7 days a week throughout the year (check booking calendar for any exclusions). Discover a wealth of lost history and paranormal sightings on this award-winning guided walking tour of the historic medieval Scottish town of St Andrews. This is one of the top ghost tours in the world and one of only 4 walking tours in Scotland with 5 Stars through the Scottish Tourist Board..... Importantly, this is the only ghost tour in the world where there are no myths, legends, stories, tales or 'jumper ooters'! For this is the real stuff, where you will learn about the remarkable history of St Andrews as a backdrop to the reality of the paranormal through countless people's experiences. Including first-hand accounts with your guide; author, historian, and paranormal authority Richard Falconer.
Inclusions: Professional English-speaking guide, Sightseeing tour
Exclusions: Gratuities, Souvenir books 'Ghosts of St Andrews' and 'A St Andrews Mystery' written by your guide (available to purchase before or after the tour - depending availability. Please email St Andrews Ghost Tours for further details)
Reviewed By AniaB951
A strong 5 star rating for the small group tour (was just me and my friend). The guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. He gave us great portion of information and history of this area. A great tour to take on the first day of your visit to St Andrews. Highly recommended!
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