The Dark Ages heralds the first recorded mention of a town on the site of St Andrews, then called Kilrymont. The earliest inhabitants of the St Andrews area were farmers and fishermen, but their simple lifestyle was to be entirely transformed in the medieval era due to the arrival of monks, pilgrims, academics, merchants and armies.

St Andrews proper was concentrated around the harbour and cathedral areas, and extended as far inland as the present line of North and South Castle Street. Greater prosperity, a rising population and the growing importance of St Andrews as an ecclesiastical, academic and trading centre all contributed to the expansion of St Andrews during the middle ages. Development took place along four parallel main streets – South Street, Market Street, North Street and Swallowgait (now known as The Scores), and a city wall was built around St Andrews, with strategically-located ‘ports’ (gates) controlling the movement of goods and people. The West Port at the end of St Andrews’ South Street is Scotland’s best surviving example of a fortified gate.

The original medieval street layout has been retained to this day, contributing immensely to the character of St Andrews. Over the last few centuries, residential developments have stretched St Andrews’ boundaries to the south and west but the historic core remains much as it would have looked four hundred years ago. Today’s residents guard the St Andrews’ past jealously, and they are proud to call themselves St Andreans.

Be sure to ask about guided walks and tours around St Andrews, to provide you with a local expert’s insight into the history of St Andrews and to point out features that you might have missed on your own.