The Byre Theatre - www.byretheatre.com

The Byre Theatre aims to be a lively, exciting and accessible theatre, being creative in their work to inspire creativity in others.

The original Byre Theatre was founded in 1933 by Alexander B Paterson, a local freelance journalist and prolific playwright, with help from a theatre group made up from members of Hope Park Church, St Andrews.

Its first home was a semi-derelict cow byre which the group cleaned out and ran as the St. Andrews Play Club, giving performances to invited audiences who sat on cushions on the floor. Within a couple of years, the Byre Theatre had established a considerable reputation running an impressive programme of performances which attracted audiences the theatre was barely able to accommodate.

In 1969, after over 30 years with many successful productions, the much loved original Byre Theatre was demolished to make way for a housing development.

With the support of funds raised by a public appeal and the local authority, a new theatre was opened in 1970. The facilities were modest, for both public and staff, but it was thought to be rather grand compared to its predecessor! A. B. Paterson's last ambition was yet again to modernise and refurbish the Byre Theatre to meet current expectations and requirements, in particular to address the inadequate facilities for those with special access needs, including visual or audio impairment.

At the time of his death in 1989, a proposal for expansion of the theatre's facilities had been initiated. Today's Byre Theatre, built by award winning architects Nicoll Russell Studios of Broughty Ferry, grew from A.B. Paterson's aspirations for a truly modern theatre addressing the needs of the entire community.

Sea, Sand, Sun and Surprises

St Andrews' coastline of river estuaries, sweeping bays, sandy shores and cliffs attracts a rich variety of sea birds and marine life. If you're lucky, you may see gannets and terns diving for food - or seals and dolphins swimming offshore.

At one time, St Andrews had a large inshore fishing fleet which suffered frequent disasters and the loss of many men. The children and womenfolk earned a poor wage tearing mussels from the rocks in freezing waters. Few mussels are collected for bait now, and the harbour is home to only a handful of fishing boats. The town traded widely, principally by ship with the Low Countries, and in its medieval heyday, 300 vessels tied up at the harbour.

Today the sea is for fun and the sailing club is very popular. Scenes from 'Chariots of Fire' were filmed at the West Sands - one of Scotland's Blue Flag beaches, along with East Sands.

Around St Andrews

To enjoy St Andrews, you must also see its surrounds. Take time to explore the farmlands of the Howe of Fife and its attractive villages, the delightful coast of the Tay, the palace at Falkland, the fine historic houses and the captivating fishing communities of the East Neuk. All are waiting to welcome you.

Just beyond Guardbridge, one of Fife's paper towns, is Leuchars; visit its Romanesque church with its 16th century tombstones. Enjoy the walks through Tentsmuir Forest and the sands of Kinshaldy Beach. Spend an afternoon at Craigtoun Country Park with its formal gardens, entertainment for children and pleasant walks. Or visit the delightful Cambo Gardens in Kingsbarns to the south.

The Fair Ways of the Golfer

Thousands of years ago, the land around St Andrews rose and the sea level dropped. Sand dunes formed, the sea brought seed of marram and lyme grass from other shores and turned this stretch of coast into 'links'.

The links in St Andrews have been used at different times by footballers, archers, bowlers and shepherds. The first record of golf in St Andrews was in 1552 when the rights of citizens of St Andrews to play golf on the links were confirmed; then the links were crudely laid out, watered by rainfall and mowed by sheep.

Many ball and stick games developed in the Middle Ages in Scotland as they did elsewhere. It was the game of golf that spread from the east coast of Scotland around the world, James II banned it in Scotland in 1457 because men were golfing instead of practising archery and he feared they would not be able to defend his kingdom. Despite this and later attempts to ban it, golf prospered!

The Society of St Andrews Golfers was set up in 1754 to organise an annual competition. Eighty years later, it became the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, now the governing body for the rules of golf in most countries. Overlooking the world famous Old Course, its famed clubhouse is not open to visitors; women guests are welcomed only on St Andrew's Day.

The town boasts six courses, plus another three on the outskirts, a practice centre, clubmakers, golf shops and many international events. You can book a round on any of the courses at the St Andrews Links Trust on 01334 466666.

A Place of Learning

The University is the oldest in Scotland and belongs to the era when Europe had
many important centres of learning. It was founded in 1410-11 by Scottish academics who had studied abroad and received papal authorisation in 1414.

You can visit the quads of two of the colleges - St Salvator's in North Street (endowed in 1450) and St Mary's in South Street (1537). St Leonard's (1512) later united with St Salvator's but you can reach its Chapel from The Pends - it was once a hospice for pilgrims.

Many of the original university buildings have been replaced and many more added, but a thorn tree planted by Mary, Queen of Scots still survives in St Mary's Quad. Another reminder of older days is the students' Kate Kennedy Procession in late spring; it's a high-spirited occasion which collects money for charity.

The University has many claims to fame - a session of the Scottish Parliament met in St Marys (1645-6), the first woman to enrol as a student in Britain (1862), the first marine laboratory (1882), the first Student's Union (about 1864). James Gregory, a professor of mathematics, designed an early fro of telescope in 1668.

The Historic Royal Burgh

St Andrews has a unique place in Scotland's heritage. It takes its name from one of Christ's apostles whose relics, legend tells, St Rule brought to this place. The town was an important religious centre in medieval Scotland and the bishops wielded great influence over church and state. Its priory was a centre of learning; Scotland's first university was established here.

St Andrews was, and still is, a rich, bustling market town and many features of that time remain in the pattern of streets and wynds, and in the character of the houses and historic sites. One of the many attractions of the town today is the range of its shops and stores which offer both
essentials and luxuries.

For many, though, it's golf that brings them here, champion and dreamer alike. Others come for the beaches, the theatre, for the countryside and the coast. St Andrews is a special place - as you'll discover. Take time to explore - on foot - and take pleasure at the surprises and delights you will come upon.

Ancient & Royal

St Andrews became a royal burgh in 1620, but had been a market town for centuries. The town centre is still laid out as it was when the streets were full of market stalls and traders' calls.

Many early traders, bringing supplies to the former priory, would come through the
Mill Port or Sea Yett (Gate), one of three surviving gateways to St Andrews. The West Port is the only fortified gateway to survive in Scotland and was rebuilt in 1589.

The main entrance to the Augustinian priory was the 14th century vaulted gatehouse called The Pends. You can still walk through it - nearby is what's called Queen Mary's House - Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here in 1563. Now the library of St Leonards School, it is only open to the public by appointment.

So much of early St Andrews survives - explore the wynds and closes to find some of the hidden gems. Louden's Close is one of the best examples of an entrance shared by several houses; each had a long 'rig' at the back for growing vegetables and grazing a cow.

The Inspiration of St Andrew

St Andrews grew from a religious settlement on the headland of Kilrymont. Legend says that a Greek monk brought relics of St Andrew there. Celtic monks built the church of St Mary on the Rock whose remains stand near the harbour. Many pilgrims visited the shrine of St Andrews, who became Scotland's patron saint. His saltire cross has been adopted as the nation's flag.

St Rules Tower is all that remains of the first church of the Augustinian priory in St Andrews - and provides panoramic views if you climb to the top. When the great
Cathedral was constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was the largest building in Scotland and for years was the centre of the country's religious life.

The bishops built the castle for comfort and protection. It was a palace, fortress and prison, but suffered from 400 years of wars and sieges. You can see its infamous bottle dungeon and explore the medieval mine and countermine which were dug by attackers and defenders. The Castle Visitor Centre has a fascinating' exhibition about the people who played a leading role in both church and state in the Middle Ages.

John Knox preached his first sermon in St Andrews, in 1547. He was imprisoned for two years as a galley slave on a French ship because of his Calvinist beliefs. Other Protestant reformers were executed or burnt at the stake. They are commemorated by the Martyrs' Monument on The Scores and by markings on the street at Dean's Court, St Salvator's College, Market Street and the Castle.

In South Street, you'll see the ruins of Blackfriars Chapel, once part of a Dominican
friary. From here, the friars went about the town caring for the community before their monastic buildings were destroyed by the Protestants. The town's own kirk, Holy Trinity, is further along the street. From its pulpit, in 1559, John Knox incited these same Protestants to drive out Catholicism by ransacking the Cathedral and other religious foundations.