St Andrews Scotland (Golf Sport was banned in 1457)
St Andrews Confidential but few know that the game of golf was born in Scotland. St Andrews is known as the home of golf and golf fanatics will love getting to know the Grand Old Lady, also known as the Old Course. Funnily enough, in 1457 golf was banned by King James II of Scotland for being ‘too popular’.
St Andrews Fine picturesque town of Scotland
St. Andrew is a picturesque town located on the east coast of Scotland, known for its historic charm and stunning coastal views. The town takes its name from the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew, whose remains were said to have been brought to the town in the 4th century. Today, St. Andrew is a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore its rich history, beautiful beaches, and world-renowned golf courses.
One of the town’s main attractions is St. Andrew’s Cathedral, a ruined Gothic structure that dates back to the 12th century. The cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland and played a central role in the religious life of the town. Visitors can now wander through the atmospheric ruins and imagine what life was like in medieval St. Andrew.
In addition to its historic sites, St. Andrew is also known for its stunning beaches. The town boasts several beautiful stretches of sand, including West Sands, which was made famous in the film “Chariots of Fire.” Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the beach, dip their toes in the North Sea, or try their hand at water sports such as surfing and paddleboarding.
For golf enthusiasts, St. Andrew is a mecca. The town is home to the Old Course at St. Andrew’s Links, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in the world. Golfers from around the globe come to St. Andrew to tee off on the iconic course and soak up the sport’s rich history. The town also boasts several other top-notch courses, making it a must-visit destination for any golfer.
Overall, St. Andrew is a charming town that offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historic sites, lounging on the beach, or hitting the links, there’s something for everyone in this enchanting Scottish town. So next time you’re planning a trip to Scotland, be sure to include a visit to St. Andrew on your itinerary.
St Andrews University is the oldest academic institution in Scotland, and its Kate Kennedy Club stages a magnificent pageant each year celebrating the great characters and events from Scotland’s history. The parade is led by the St Andrews Pipe Band and the patron saint of Scotland St Andrew; a (usually)male student dressed as Kate, accompanied by her uncle Bishop Kennedy brings up the rear of the procession in a daffodil-bedecked horse-drawn carriage – there is no historical evidence that Kate ever really lived but that doesn’t stop her appearing here!
Also expect many other characters in fancy dress with set pieces of drama, including a spirited re-enactment of the brutal murder of Archbishop Sharp. Golfers, divines, scholars, monarchs and courtiers all take their place in the parade, with elaborate costumes, cross dressing in both directions and some luxuriant false beards. In the old days it used to be a riotous event which local worthies repeatedly tried to ban but still the Procesion marches on…
St Andrews Kingsbarns Distillery
Kingsbarns, St Andrews KY16 8QE, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Darnley’s Original Gin 40% ABV
Darnley’s Original is distilled with six botanicals including juniper, elderflower, coriander and lemon peel to create a classic London Dry Gin that is fresh, floral and vibrant.
Type London Dry Gin
ABV 40%
Botanicals Juniper, elderflower, coriander, lemon peel, orris root, angelica root
Notes
Nose Pine needles, juniper, elderflower, cloudy lemonade, floral notes
Taste Grapefruit, juniper followed by a mellow spice
Finish Long and dry, with a twist of floral and fruit characters from the elderflower
The Inspiration
Our recipe for Darnley’s Original was inspired by elderflower growing wild around the Wemyss family estate in Scotland.
After picking copious amounts to dry out and then test in the stills, we knew we wanted to create a light, floral, citrus flavoured gin in the London Dry Style which honours our distillers past.
Bottled at 40% ABV, this London Dry Gin has a long and dry finish and is perfect for a G&T.
Recycling
With sustainability at the heart of everything we do here at Darnley’s, we repurpose our recycled bottles to host beautiful scented candles! Help us to give our bottles a second life by returning them to us.
If you have a stockpile of bottles at home, bring them to our distillery in Fife to get £3 off a new bottle in store when you return a 70cl bottle for recycling or return four bottles for a FREE Discover Darnley’s Tour.
Spiced Gin 42.7% ABV
A spiced contemporary gin that is full and rounded. It uses 10 botanicals including cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger to create a warming character with woody sweet spice.
Notes
Nose
Orange, pine needles, rosemary, cinnamon, coriander, peppercorns and clove
Taste
Mixed spices, ginger, freshly ground pepper followed by a hint of orange zest
Finish
Coriander, nutmeg, sage, and a dry lingering peppery finish.
Bottled at 42.7% ABV, our signature serve is with ginger ale as an alternative to tonic.
Recycling
With sustainability at the heart of everything we do here at Darnley’s, we repurpose our recycled bottles to host beautiful scented candles! Help us to give our bottles a second life by returning them to us.
If you have a stockpile of bottles at home, bring them to our distillery in Fife to get £3 off a new bottle in store when you return a 70cl bottle for recycling or return four bottles for a FREE Discover Darnley’s Tour.
Darnley’s Gin
A family steeped in Scottish history
The origins of the Wemyss name is from the Scottish Gaelic uaimh meaning ‘cave’. The Wemyss family seat is Wemyss Castle about 40 minutes drive along the coast from Kingsbarns Distillery. There is a cave formation on the coast below the castle from which it is thought the name drew inspiration. The family criss-crossed Scottish history through from the time of Robert the Bruce, the Battle of Culloden, all the way to the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and of course into the present day.
The connection with whisky, however, dates to James Haig opening Cameronbridge Grain Distillery (the largest of its kind in the world) on land leased from Captain Wemyss in the 19th century. Hands-on experience though did not come until the beginning of the 21st century with the independent bottling business ‘Wemyss Malts’ being founded in 2005 and then Kingsbarns Distillery in 2014.
Kingsbarns distillery is family owned and operated by the award-winning single malt blenders and independent bottlers, Wemyss, who have a long standing reputation and experience in the whisky business.
The Wemyss Family today
Our Founder William Wemyss and Production Director Isabella Wemyss run Kingsbarns as a brother-sister partnership. They are at the very forefront of every decision and have steered Kingsbarns to the successful position we find ourselves today. An interest in tradition, but a nose for experimentation, drives the Wemyss name forward, paving new roads in the world of Scotch and for the rich Lowland distilling history.
The family also still runs Wemyss Malts which continues to flourish and release exciting new blends and single malt single casks. Darnley’s also (our gin distilled on the Kingsbarns site) continues to distil nature into a refreshing and alluring spirit.
St Andrews Darnley’s Gin Distillery.
Meet Aaron, our resident gin distiller here at Darnley’s Gin!
Aaron has been with our distillery since August 2022, taking visitors on tours and assisting with production for our sister brand Kingsbarns Distillery. When an opportunity to become Darnley’s gin distiller came up in 2023, we knew Aaron was the right man for the job!
When he’s not coming up with innovative new recipes, you’ll find him in our gin cottage running our gin school, leading tours and making our visitors smile. We had a quick chat with Aaron to find out a little more about him and his process.
Darnley’s Gin School
LEARN
Under the guidance of our gin school team, you will learn about the art of distillation and what it takes to create a great tasting gin.
To create your bespoke gin recipe, explore our botanical collection some of which are grown in our own cottage garden, and consult your gin school guide and flavour wheel to ensure you get the balance of flavours just right.
DISTIL
The hands-on experience continues as our team take you through the steps of distilling and you begin to make your one-of-a-kind gin on your own copper mini still.
Enjoy a tour of Darnley’s Distillery whilst sipping on a few refreshing G&T’s and a tasting of the Darnley’s Gin range.
BOTTLE & LABEL
At the end of the experience, you will fill, label and name your unique creation to take home and enjoy in a branded Darnley’s gift bag
Order more of your bespoke gin – We keep your recipe on file so you can place an order for more of your bespoke gin. Our distillery team can advise on pricing.
St Andrews Eden Mill Gin
Rusacks St. Andrews, Pilmour Links, St Andrews KY16 9JQ, Verenigd Koninkrijk
The home of Eden Mill Distillery
Our distillery, located at the University’s Eden Campus in Guardbridge, has been undergoing renovation since early last year. Once the final stages of the refurbishment are finished, this picturesque site will serve as the home of Eden Mill Distillery, where we’ll produce premium single malt whiskies and craft gins.
In addition to our distillery, we’re excited to introduce a remarkable gin and whisky visitor experience open to the public. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the spirit-making process and witness first hand how we craft our unique products. Alongside the tours, guests can also browse our retail store and relax in the café, which offers a stunning view of the beautiful Eden Estuary.
Stella Morse, Executive Chair at Eden Mill, expressed her enthusiasm, stating:
“This new home is where we will continue producing our contemporary Scottish gins and restart distillation of our premium single Malt Scotch Whiskies, which will be laid down to mature over the coming years. Set to become one of Scotland’s iconic distilleries, it will also be a major St Andrews landmark and a Scottish tourist attraction, sitting at the mouth of the River Eden, with views across to the spires and fairways of St Andrews, a town globally renowned as the ‘Home of Golf’ and famed for its heritage and historic university.”
INSPIRED BY SCOTLAND AND THE COURSES AROUND ST ANDREWS – CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO REFRESHING SPIRITS
Eden Mill Golf Gin is an innovative new take on the classic London Dry gin. Inspired by the taste of Scotland, it features the very best ingredients native to Fife and St Andrews – the Home of Eden Mill and the Home of Golf.
Love Gin is a light and subtly sweet floral and fruity gin that reflects the hedgerow fruits and flowers of Scotland with Raspberries and Rose.
EDEN MILL GOLF GIN
Eden Mill from St. Andrews presents: Golf Gin. A botanically rich spirit with a slightly saline base which is made using kombu seaweed sourced in Fife. It also incorporates other ingredients inspired by the those flavors that can be found around coastal golf courses in Scotland, such as Lavender and Pine.
Nose: Hints of juniper in a forest of lavender and spruce trees with a subtle underlying salty tang
Taste: The juniper dominates as it should but is balanced out with a sweetness from the gorse. The heather and lavender add a floral note while the spruce and coriander provide a distinct peppery finish.
Finish: Crisp and fresh
Best served with a premium tonic, garnished with a bramble and a sprig of mint.
ABV: 42.0%
EDEN MILL LOVE GIN
Our pioneering pink gin is sweet, flavorful and floral. Originally created for Valentine’s Day, it was loved by so many we decided to make it a permanent expression!
Our Head Distiller crafts Love Gin using raspberries and strawberries from Fife Fruits who are based at Tarvit Home Farm – just a 15-minute drive from our distillery. Alongside this, he uses goji berries, red rose petal and rhubarb root among other botanicals.
This gin has a beautiful pink blush color and packs sweet vanilla and floral notes with a fruity finish.
Nose: Touch of warm spiced berries – strawberry, raspberries with sweet vanilla, and green fruits. Finishing with very delicate citrus pink grapefruit and floral rose petals.
Taste: Taste of rhubarb spice and sweet strawberries with vanilla, finishing with green apple citrus and a hint of rose water.
Finish: Sharp, sweet, and fruity with soft vanilla notes.
Best served with a premium tonic or rose lemonade and garnished with a handful of raspberries.ABV: 42.0%
Eden Mill Gin
What to See, what to do in St Andrew Scottland?
St. Andrews, Scotland, is a charming coastal town known for its historic sites, stunning scenery, and vibrant culture. With its rich history dating back to the 12th century, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this picturesque destination.
One of the must-see attractions in St. Andrews is the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral. Once the largest church in Scotland, the cathedral was a center of religious life for centuries before being destroyed during the Scottish Reformation. Today, visitors can explore the atmospheric ruins, marvel at the intricate stonework, and climb to the top of St. Rule’s Tower for panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside.
Another popular site in St. Andrews is the Old Course, one of the oldest and most revered golf courses in the world. Golf enthusiasts from around the globe flock to St. Andrews to play a round on this legendary course, which has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments and championships over the years. Even if you’re not a golfer, the Old Course is worth a visit just to soak up the history and atmosphere of this iconic sporting venue.
In addition to its historic sites and golf courses, St. Andrews also offers a wealth of cultural attractions and activities. The town is home to several museums, galleries, and theaters, where you can learn about the local history and arts scene. Be sure to check out the St. Andrews Museum, which showcases exhibits on the town’s maritime heritage, as well as contemporary art and design.
For outdoor enthusiasts, St. Andrews boasts a stunning coastline, scenic walking trails, and beautiful beaches. Take a leisurely stroll along the Fife Coastal Path, which winds its way along the rugged shoreline, offering breathtaking views of the North Sea and surrounding countryside. Or head to West Sands Beach, where you can relax on the golden sands, go for a swim in the crystal-clear waters, or try your hand at water sports like windsurfing and kayaking.
In conclusion, St. Andrews, Scotland, is a delightful destination with something to offer every type of traveler. Whether you’re interested in history, golf, culture, or outdoor adventure, this charming town has it all. So pack your bags, book your trip, and get ready to explore all that St. Andrews has to offer.
