April 18th 2008
PART ONE
The last time time I visted St. Andrews, back in 1961 I went by train from Dundee, changing at Leuchars Jct. Station. It was a stream train. There was one station before St. Andrews,
Guardbridge. Nothing remains of that station today but the iron and stone pillars of the bridge over the river remain. There is a large Paper Mill, which was served by the railway
and it was nice to see that the Mill is still going strong today. This time I went by bus from Dundee Bus Depot. There is a 15 minute service, via the Tay Road bridge. However
this represents a half hour service for these living at and near Leuchars as only every other bus stops outside the station, the other service to a village close by. I was very unlucky
with the weather. It was dull and gray with sleety snow and the wind by the shore was virtually vertical. Thankfully it cleared up a bit later but remained bitterly cold. It didn't seem to
stop the tourists and Golfers as it was quite busy. Likewise, I didn't let the weather spoil my visit.Ex RAILWAY
Remains of railway bridge on the north side of the town coming in from Leuchars and Guardbridge. The original station was here.
On the south side of the old bridge the trackbed is now a cycle & walk way for a approx. 200 yards and leads to the Bus Depot, which stands on the old station forecourt.
Standing on what was the station roof. I remember the station as being very narrow and deep and you climbed stairs to the forecourt level. This has been back-filled and turned into a car park.
To the east of the station the ground falls to normal railway level via a steep path and some steps that take you over a small viaduct. The footpath ends by the Botanic Gardens.
Looking back towards the station area across the short viaduct you can just make out the steps, which demonstrates the depth of the back-fill, which the station trackbed lies below. There is a group trying to get the railway reopened and are making a good case for it but from these scenes it is going to be a difficult job. However, as the station is just a car park that may not be so difficult as it seems.
At the end of the footpath the trackbed crossed the road and went on to Thornton Junction via Crail, Anstruthers, Pittenweem etc. where it rejoined the mainline south.
Web Site of the St Andrews Railway Group.
http://www.louisxiv.demon.co.uk/starlink/
AROUND THE TOWN
The south archway. A bit cluttered but there was road repairs going on just out of sight to the left. It would be nicer of the signs and lamp standards could be made less obstrusive.
Holy Trinity Church (c1163)
The Library
The Town House
Preservation Trust Museum
The Byre Theatre
The Byre Theatre
Why make deliveries easy when you can make them this difficult!
ST ANDREWS ABBEY (Ruins)
Began building 1138
This archway is a roadway going down to the harbour, which it'self is through another archway in the east wall of the Abbey.
St Mary On The Rock
One for the Golfers. Dediated to a Tommy Morris, who died on the 25th December 1875, aged 25 years.
St. Rule's Tower (c1127)
East Archway. Taking you from the Abbey Ruins to the harbour.
Part Two================================
