The St. Andrews Castle. Head up The Scores from the course to the historic ruins of St. Andrews Castle where a castle has stood since the 12th century.

St. Andrews Cathedral. Just around the corner at the intersection of North and South streets is the St. Andrews Cathedral, also in ruins, with an equally enchanting history.

For a Break in St. Andrews…. As you return to town on South Street, swing back right on Church Street to #13 when you’re tired of touring and need a break.  My bakery expert Rex, highly, highly suggests a stop at Fisher & Donaldson Bakery.  We fell in love with Cupar branch, where you can relax in the spaciousseating for any meal.  But the smaller, St. Andrews stop will give you a chance to savor their delicacies!    If you still have room for dinner, follow Church onto College toward the bay and enjoy exquisite Indian dining at Maisha, # 5 College Street, St. Andrews.

St. Andrews Bay from the Himalayas. What a day!  What a view!  Kites flying, people strolling, waves lapping the beach, and to our right the glorious Royal and Ancient St. Andrews Club House.  You’ll also find runners, of course!  Why?  Because this is the beach made famous for the opening scene in the movie Chariots of Fire! (Click on that titel to see the video and hear the theme song on You-Tube!  St. Andrews appears at 2 minutes; the club house a little after that.)

I took this shot from the Himalayas.  Little known to those who haven’t been there, the Himalayas are the spacious greens of the Ladies Putting Club, St. Andrews, between the Bay and #1 fairway.  Anyone can jump on and play 18 holes for £2, or £1 if you’re a senior.  Young and old, experienced or not at golf, it’s a grand way to say “I played St Andrews!”

Rusacks Hotel, St. Andrews. Off the right side of the R&A Club House, along #18 fairway,  is the famous Rusacks Hotel, now one of the wonderful Macdonald Hotels.  Arguably one the most recognizable hotels in the world, Rusacks always appears in St. Andrews tournaments, but also is memorable from Chariots of Fire.  I’d give anything to stay there!

The Links Club House, St. Andrews. The club house for the rest of us.  Opened in 1995, the Links Clubhouse was the first public facility at the St. Andrews Links, the organization which overseeing 7 golf courses, including the Old Course. The Links Club House provides panoramic views over Old, New, & Jubilee courses as well as great meals and drinks and a pro shop.

St. Andrews View, from the Old Course Hotel. Stay in the Old Course Hotel just under the tee shot from #17.  Or just visit, as we did, for the tour of an elegant facility, including rooftop views of the St. Andrews Links and city.  A lovely place for an end of day rest to savor the St. Andrews experience.  

End of the Rainbow: St. Andrews  To golfers, the very words evoke images of the royal and ancient heritage of our beloved sport. I’ve told people I believe there are fairies out there on the links of the Old Course, where folks have wondered in from the sea, bashing small objects with sticks since the 1400s. As we played our miraculous round and I walked the course another day, rainbows popped out in every direction. The lights change, shadows seem to come up from the ground, and the earth does indeed feel as hallowed as it looks in this shot of the clubhouse and town.

Evening: St. Andrews

Summer evenings in Scotland last forever. Our 18-hole round at the Old Course was scheduled for 4:15, and we strolled into 18 (where I shot a par) at about 9 p.m. We could have stayed out for another few hours basking in that heavenly glow of dusk. Here the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse stands alone, settling in for the night. Only members know what goes on under those interior lights. The rest of us can dream–and play their glorious course.

St. Andrews Clubhouse: The Royal and Ancient

A classic photograph of the St. Andrews Club House.  The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was founded in 1754. Now a group of companies known as The R&A, the club administers the Rules of Golf, runs the British Open Championship, and supports the development of golf around the world. Nothing compares to looking back as you head out to #1 green or to walking up #18 on the right side of the same huge fairway at the end of a round.

Tomorrow, look for images from around the club house: the Himalayas, Russacks, and gorgeous St. Andrews Bay.

To purchase St. Andrews photography by Sally Ross:

Email srossphoto@gmail.com, or
See www.sallyrossphoto.com

Sally at St. Andrews

Join me this week for the 2010 British Open at The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland!  I’ll share 2-3 images each day, from Saturday, July 10 through the final day, Sunday, July 18.  I’ll also include a story or two from playing, walking, and enjoying that most historic course.

Best wishes to you all who are THERE!

May these images soothe the souls of those of us who can’t be.

To purchase St. Andrews photography by Sally Ross:

Email srossphoto@gmail.com, or
See www.sallyrossphoto.com

Glenuig: Evening View

I’ll end this 30-day saga of sharing Photos of the Day with a very personal image: the view from my beloved cottage outside Dornoch. Every morning as I parted the curtains, the morning version of this view thrilled me. And every evening, I waited and watched anxiously to see how the skies and the light would enhance that view. A simple pasture, pines, a rock wall, but such drama! Read more about Dornoch and her grand skies from a favorite book of mine by Lorne Ruberstein: A Season in Dornoch: Golf and Life in the Scottish Highlands. (See direct link to Amazon below to read more or order!) Stay tuned for what’s coming next on this blog, including direct purchase of prints via PayPal! Thanks!

Signed, limited edition giclee prints of this image are available from Sally Ross Photography: 14″ x 9.4″ ($65.00); 20″ x 16″ ($175); 30″ x 20″ ($290.00).

Morning Bells, St. Andrews

The Old Course, St. Andrews is closed to golfers on Sundays, which was perfect timing for our arrival. I took off and walked the entire course—out 9 and back in 9—fully engaged with my camera. This image captures the light and enchantment I felt alone out there in a mystical, historical world .  To savor more about St. Andrews, click on St. Andrews.

Signed, limited edition prints of Morning Bells are available from Sally Ross Photography: 9.4″ x 14″ ($65.00); 16″ x 24″ ($175.00); 20″ x 30″ ($290.00).

Glen Coe

The most stunning view I saw across miles and miles of stunning Scottish scenery! Glencoe is renowned for its history as well.  From Celtic heroes of old through clan battles and the Clearances, Glencoe represents the grandeur and the agonies that are Scotland.  Read more at GLEN COE.

Fine art limited edition signed prints available at Sally Ross Photography: 14″ x 9.4″ ($65.00); 24″ x 16″ ($175.00); 30″ x 20″ ($290.00).