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St. Andrews or Perth Highland Games

Posted by on

Hello all! Traveling to Scotland soon and we have one free day for a day trip out of Edinburgh (we will later be traveling to the Highlands, Skye, etc.). Currently, I have train tickets booked to St. Andrews where we planned to wander the course (on a Sunday) and explore the town. I just realized that Perth is hosting Highland games on the same day and now I am considering changing the plans and headed there instead. Has anyone attended these that can weigh in on the experience? My biggest considerations are:
- We will be traveling with a few seniors who can walk well but not for long distances

-the Ease of getting to and from the location of the games to the train station
-St. Andrews being a bit "boring" for my girls 11 & 8
-Half of the group has been to St. Andrews before, so I also am considering arriving in St. Andrews by 10am, staying until 12pm and then catching the second half of the games (arriving at 1:30pm). I know that a lot but I hate missing out on either

Thanks for any insights!

Posted by
15 posts

We got to do both a couple of years ago, but we also had a car. We saw the last games of the season in Pitlochry. The highlight was getting to see all the pipers marching down the street. We found a cafe on the main route and were able to enjoy a coffee & tea while they marched down playing their pipes for the opening ceremony. Once they were past everyone queued up to enter the field. The lines were long for tickets holders. It was at least 1/2 hour to get to the field.
On the other hand we also loved St.Andrews. We were able to get a walking tour which included the old course.

I think if you were able to get to the games to see the opening ceremonies, that would be where i would start and then the permitting st. Andrews.

Posted by
12133 posts

Perth Highland Games are on the North Inch, which is pretty much in the City Centre- so no difficulties getting there. You can walk to the North Inch from the station- but if you feel you need a short taxi ride, just take one off the rank- https://perthhighlandgames.co.uk/

Posted by
41 posts

I do hope you realize that St. Andrews is served by the Leuchers train station. That's about a 15 minute bus or taxi ride to the olde town.

Saint Andrews is lovely, with its ruined castle, the graveyard and the scores. Other than the aquarium and the British Golf Museum, there's not a whole lot of things to do in the town; although I do like the idea of the Himalayas putting course - you may need tee times, though, and since it's a private course (Ladies Putting Union) it may not even be open for play when you're there.

Two hours, including the transportation back and forth to Leuchers is not nearly enough time. Six hours would be closer to the time needed.

Far & Straight!

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