St. Andrew's Day
Today is St. Andrew's Day, commemorating the patron saint of Scotland. Last summer I was lucky enough to present a paper in Scotland, at University of St. Andrew. Unfortunately, I wasn't blogging or taking pictures then, but I found both the university and the island to be one of the most beautiful places on earth.
St. Andrew himself is in fact one of the more fascinating early saints. The younger brother of Peter, he was one of the original apostles and one of the "fishers of men." He has been the patron saint of Scotland since the 9th century or so, when his relics (little finger, partial cranium, and pieces of the cross on which he was crucified "mysteriously" transported from Constantinople to Scotland in the spot where St. Andrews stands today, where they became the property of one of the Pict kings during the mid-8th century. The Scottish flag represents an X-shaped white cross on a blue field, commemorating the crucifixion of St. Andrew.
The University of St. Andrews dates from the 15th century, not as old as some European universities (Oxford, Paris, and Bologna, for example, all dating from the 11th or 12th centuries) but not new by any standards. But it is stunning, as is the town, which is known for the university and the world-class golf course there as well.
The North Sea surrounds St. Andrews on three sides, and it is rocky and hilly and marvelously picturesque. I stayed in campus housing, in the visitors center which rents out rooms and serves meals for reasonable rates. It is a short uphill walk to the town and campus, but very close to the golf course. So avid golfers not wanting to pay the high prices for the luxury golf hotel stayed in the same place as I did... giving me a chance to study golf clothing in detail. A whole different fashion statement.
Prince William graduated from St. Andrews with a degree in geography.
Since St. Andrews is a short train trip from Edinburgh, I recommend that while visiting Scotland, you take a day away from Edinburgh and Glasgow and Scotch distilleries to go to the little town and stay overnight. The university visitors center is very clean and the food (especially breakfast) is decent. You should save your money for eating in some of the restaurants in town, which are both pricey and delicious. The sights include the university itself, the ruined church of St. Andrews, the castle, and the seaside itself, which is completely walkable and beautiful. Benches along the sea wall enable one to sit and watch the sea, read, or chat with residents.
I loved visiting St. Andrews. The conference was one of the best I have ever attended, but besides that the town itself is delightful. And I don't play golf at all.
Happy St. Andrew's Day!
Pearl
