St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle is a ruined coastal castle in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The site dates mainly to the medieval period and functioned as both an episcopal residence and a defensive stronghold.

Principal visitor features include the exposed curtain walls and cliff-top ruins, and an underground complex known as the bottle dungeon which visitors can view via interpreted access. The castle occupies a strategic headland and provides direct views over the North Sea and the harbour; many visits combine the castle with the nearby St Andrews Cathedral ruins.

The castle was originally established in the 13th century and was repeatedly besieged and adapted over the medieval and early modern periods, reflecting its role in ecclesiastical and military affairs. Over time it passed between church and crown control and saw structural changes including artillery adaptations in later centuries.

It sits at the western edge of St Andrews town, perched on a small promontory above the North Sea and immediately adjacent to the town’s harbour and beaches. The site is accessible on foot from the town centre.

• Location on cliffs: The castle stands on a sea cliff immediately west of St Andrews' North Harbour, giving direct exposure to the North Sea and dramatic cliffside views.

What to See #

• Bottle Dungeon: The bottle dungeon is a deep, narrow underground prison chamber accessed by a stair and noted for its use during medieval and early modern sieges; it is part of the guided visitor route in the ruins.
• Sea-facing curtain walls and battlements: Cliff-top ruins and curtain walls that overlook the shoreline, including artillery positions and remnants of the castle's medieval curtain wall and towers.