St Andrews Castle

I stopped by this historic site while passing through St Andrew's. It was on the visit Scotland package I had purchased so I figured why not. I'm glad I made some time for this place, as it does have quite the storied past. Although it is only a part of what it once was, the visitor center has a lot of great displays and history of the castle. I really enjoyed the mine and counter-mine warfare descriptions, but unfortunately the mine area was under repair. As an engineer, I was really interested in this site. Oh well. Such is the price to maintain history. Thanks for the quick visit.

A must for visiting St Andrews. I love how it is perched on the sea, and i particularly like the museum because it's very interesting and the staff there are lovely. The gift shop is really nice too, they have some very nice things in there. I have a Historic Scotland membership, so I come every time I go to St Andrews. Twinning it with the cathedral is a brilliant idea too. The ruins are very interesting and it's fascinating picturing what it was once like. Excellent!!

Nice little castle to wander round. The exhibition at the start was good, the staff were friendly and really helpful. It only got a 4 stars because in typical Historic Scotland fashion the best areas are closed for renovation but they don't reflect this in their prices. Toilets on site and plenty of benches. The views out onto the water are really nice.

Fantastic place to visit. If your friends or family don't want to visit the ruins from inside, they can wait just a few minutes away on the beach that offers great views. The audio guide is very good, easily can spend 40-60 mins here, or more if you plan your picnic too.

St Andrews Castle sits right on the edge of the sea, and there’s something striking about how its ruins rise against the waves. Even though much of it has crumbled, the place still feels powerful, like the stones are holding onto all the stories they’ve seen. This was once the home of bishops and a centre of power in medieval Scotland, so every wall feels like it has witnessed secrets, struggles, and celebrations. Walking through the site, you don’t just see history — you feel it. The bottle dungeon is small, dark, and unsettling, a space that makes you imagine the fear of those who were once locked inside. The underground mine and counter-mine are even more remarkable; crawling through those tunnels gives you a sense of how desperate and determined people were during times of siege. Then you step outside, and the view across the North Sea takes your breath away. The contrast between the beauty of the landscape and the harshness of the castle’s past is part of what makes it so memorable. St Andrews Castle isn’t just another ruin. It’s a place where the drama of history meets the raw beauty of nature, and it leaves a lasting impression.

Very interesting and dark history behind this castle. Very picturesque location on the cliffs of St Andrew’s. You can see the castle easily from outside the fence, but exploring the inside is worthwhile.

We were visiting St Andrews for a day trip from Stirling and walked around town. We walked around the perimeter of the castle and didn’t go inside. The castle is set on a cliff and has awesome Seaview.

Incredible drone filming location - history meets coastal drama As a drone videographer, St Andrews Castle is one of the most visually striking historical sites in Scotland. Perched dramatically on a cliff above the North Sea, the ruins offer sweeping aerial compositions - with a perfect blend of rugged stone, crashing waves, and the town’s character in the background. From above, the layout of the castle really comes alive - the inner courtyard, battlements, and the famous bottle dungeon all form stunning patterns when captured from the sky. The coastal light, especially during golden hour, adds amazing contrast and depth to shots. There’s also a great opportunity to pair footage with the nearby St Andrews Cathedral ruins — just a short walk away and equally spectacular from the air. Important note for fellow drone flyers: This area is close to town, so always check for local flying restrictions. Early mornings are usually quiet and ideal for undisturbed filming. Highly recommended for anyone capturing historical landscapes, coastal drama, or cinematic storytelling in Scotland. A timeless location that never disappoints.