St Andrews and Falkland Palace Tour

The big draw is nearly three hours in St Andrews, enough time to see its famous golf course and medieval sights without having to choose just one. The day also takes in the fishing village of Anstruther and Falkland, whose streets you may recognise from Outlander.

I like the contrast between the stops: Anstruther offers a short coastal pause, while St Andrews gets the bulk of your time. I also like the small-group format, capped at 16, and the chance to hear local history and filming-location details from your driver-guide. One consideration: the day lasts about eight and a half hours, and Falkland Palace is not open to tour visitors from November 2025 through February 28, 2026.

• The Forth Bridge is part of the journey: Cross the Forth Road Bridge for a view of the UNESCO-listed 19th-century railway bridge.
• Anstruther gets 45 minutes: Walk its cobbled streets or stop for a coffee in the largest of the fishing villages on this route.
• St Andrews gets almost three hours: Make time for the Old Course, the university buildings, the castle ruins or the golf museum.
• Falkland adds an Outlander connection: Explore the village and, when open, consider paying separately to enter Falkland Palace and its gardens.
• The group is limited to 16: Your ticket includes an air-conditioned vehicle and driver-guide, but not admission to the castle or golf museum.

A day trip that gives St Andrews room to breathe

The main advantage here is the time in St Andrews. On many day trips, the headline stop gets squeezed between several quick photo breaks. Here, just under three hours gives you a better chance to see the town at your own pace, whether your interests are golf, university history or the remains of the castle.

There is a good mix of scenery and places to explore, too. The drive crosses the Forth Road Bridge, with a view of the famous Forth Bridge, before taking you to Anstruther, St Andrews and Falkland. The guide-led drive adds context between stops, so the journey is part of the day rather than simply a transfer.

The experience is provided by Discover Scotland Tours and starts at Howies Waterloo Place, 29 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, at 8:30 am. Travel time is included in the roughly eight-and-a-half-hour total, and the tour ends back at the starting point. That makes this a full day out, not a quick excursion, so plan your evening accordingly.

Crossing the Forth for a landmark view

The day begins with a crossing of the Forth Road Bridge, a useful vantage point for the Forth Bridge, the 19th-century railway structure that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bridge is an early highlight, and a reminder that Scottish engineering can be as arresting as the scenery around it.

The tour description does not promise a dedicated stop at the bridge, so think of this as a view along the route rather than a separate sightseeing visit. If bridge photography is a priority, ask your guide whether the conditions and route offer a good opportunity to take a picture from the vehicle.

The drive itself is one of the pleasures of a day trip like this. You can look out the window and let your guide fill in some of the background, then save your energy for walking around the towns. Past guides named Ron, Kyle, Cale and Jamie have been praised for their stories, humor and practical suggestions. Guide assignments can vary, of course, but the driver-guide role is included with your ticket.

Anstruther: 45 minutes in a fishing village

Anstruther, pronounced Ainster, is described as the largest village among the fishing villages on the route. You have 45 minutes here, with no admission fee for the stop. That is enough for a short wander through the cobbled streets or a coffee break, but not a long visit.

I would use this pause to stretch your legs and get a feel for the village rather than try to pack in a list of sights. It breaks up the drive before the longer stop in St Andrews, and gives the day a coastal character that contrasts with the university town.

The trade-off is straightforward: 45 minutes passes quickly. If you stop for coffee, keep an eye on the time so you can enjoy a brief walk as well. This is a sampler, not a deep exploration of Anstruther, and the tour’s main event comes next.

St Andrews: almost three hours to choose your own route

St Andrews is the heart of the day. With 2 hours and 55 minutes to explore, you can decide what matters most rather than follow one fixed sightseeing agenda. Golf fans can head for the Old Course and the Royal and Ancient Golf Museum; history-minded visitors can look at the university buildings and the ruins of St Andrews Castle.

The Old Course is known around the world, and even if you do not play golf, it is a striking part of the town’s identity. Golf enthusiasts may find it the clear priority. If you are not a fan, there is no need to treat the town as a golf-only destination: its medieval setting, university buildings and castle ruins provide other ways to spend your time.

The main practical choice is how much you want to pay for indoor attractions. Admission to St Andrews Castle is not included. The listed adult price is £10, with concession admission at £8 and child admission at £6. The golf museum is also extra, with a listed price of £17.50 per adult and £12.50 per senior; students and children are free. Check the attraction details before you go, since admission prices and opening arrangements can change.

With almost three hours, you may have time for one paid attraction and a walk around town, but do not assume you can comfortably fit in everything. Decide your priorities before arriving. If you want to see the castle and spend time at the golf museum, check how much time each visit needs and leave a little room to walk between places.

The freedom is a real strength, but it also means you need to manage your own time. Keep track of the agreed return time and do not let a queue or a long lunch eat into the visit. The driver-guide can offer suggestions, and past guides including Jamie and Kyle have been praised for giving practical advice on what to see. Use that help to build a simple plan, not an ambitious checklist.

Falkland: village streets and palace access

The final listed stop is Falkland, where you have 1 hour and 10 minutes. The village served as Inverness in the Outlander television series, so fans may recognise some of its streets. Even if the show is not on your watch list, the stop gives you a different scale and mood from St Andrews.

You can spend the time walking around the village, or pay to enter Falkland Palace and its gardens when they are open to visitors. Palace admission is not included in the tour price. Access is not possible from November 2025 through February 28, 2026, because visiting hours are limited. If your trip falls in that period, plan on exploring the village instead.

One hour and 10 minutes is a useful stop, but it is not a long palace visit plus a leisurely village walk. Choose which matters most when you arrive. If the palace is a priority, check current opening details before booking and be ready to focus your time there.

The Outlander connection is a fun extra, not the sole reason to visit. Guides have also shared details about filming locations from other shows, according to the tour’s past descriptions. If that interests you, ask your guide about what you are seeing; if not, Falkland still works as a short village stop.

What the price covers, and what it does not

At $76.79 per person, the price buys an eight-and-a-half-hour day out of Edinburgh, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and the services of a driver-guide. The group is limited to 16, which is small enough to feel more personal than a large coach outing, while keeping the logistics simpler than arranging transport and timing on your own.

The value is strongest if you want to visit several places in one day and appreciate a guide’s narration along the way. You get three distinct stops, the Forth Bridge view and nearly three hours in St Andrews without having to organize the route yourself. For a short stay in Edinburgh, that is an efficient way to reach places that take more planning by public transport.

Remember that the headline price does not include paid attractions. St Andrews Castle and the golf museum have separate admission charges, and Falkland Palace also requires paid entry when open. You can keep the day relatively economical by focusing on the villages, town streets and outdoor sights, or budget extra for one or more attractions.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations made within 24 hours are not refundable. Children under five are not permitted, and service animals are allowed.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this tour if you want to see St Andrews but also like the idea of making the journey part of the holiday. It suits golf fans, Outlander viewers and anyone who enjoys Scottish towns with a mix of coastal character, medieval landmarks and local stories.

It is also a sensible choice if you prefer a guide to handle the driving and give the day some shape. The small group and included driver-guide help, while the free time at each stop lets you set your own pace once you arrive. That balance works well for people who want background and independence in the same day.

It is less suitable if you want a slow, detailed visit to every place, or if you prefer to spend a full day in St Andrews alone. The stop in Anstruther is brief, Falkland is also short, and St Andrews still requires choices. The day is designed to give you a broad introduction, not an exhaustive tour of each location.

Should you book the St Andrews and Falkland Palace tour?

Book it if you want a guided, full-day route from Edinburgh with a substantial visit to St Andrews and two characterful stops along the way. The strongest reasons are the near-three-hour window in St Andrews, the small group cap and the guide-led drive, which past guides Ron, Kyle, Cale and Jamie have made lively with history, humor and useful suggestions.

Think twice if your priority is spending a full day at the castle, golf museum or Falkland Palace. Admission is extra, time is limited, and palace access is unavailable from November 2025 through February 28, 2026. For a first look at this part of Fife, though, the schedule offers a practical balance of scenery, free time and guided context.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Howies Waterloo Place, 29 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes, including travel time.

How much time do you get in St Andrews?

You have just under three hours, listed as 2 hours and 55 minutes.

How long is the stop in Anstruther?

The stop lasts 45 minutes.

How long is the stop in Falkland?

You have 1 hour and 10 minutes in Falkland.

Is admission to St Andrews Castle included?

No. The listed price is £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £6 for children.

Is Falkland Palace open throughout the year on this tour?

No. Access to Falkland Palace and its gardens is not possible from November 2025 through February 28, 2026, because of limited visiting hours.

Can children under five join the tour?

No. Children under the age of five are not permitted.