Advice from An Edinburghian Please

[ronandannette]

Hello!

 

We're sailing the British Isles in May and I'm having a heck of a time working out travel arrangements in some of the ports.  We tender in to South Queensferry on a Wednesday morning and my husband has a round of golf booked at St. Andrew's at noon.  Can you please advise on whether or not it's a fairly easy drive?  The current plan is a rental car for back and forth. Bearing in mind we drive on the right in Canada and are used to endless miles of wide open highway, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Bob++]

In the absence of a response from a local, I had a look for you.

 

The  problem is that there are no car-hire places in South Queensferry, the nearest are at Edinburgh Airport.

 

You could try contacting a local private hire company and asking for a quote  https://mckenzieprivatehirecars.webs.com/contact-us

[Jinty39]

A taxi would cost about £100 each way. There is a bus from the Forth Road Bridge direct to St Andrews. Takes about 90 minutes, runs every 2 hours. Five minute taxi ride to the bridge. Possibly car rental companies would deliver to the port. You would have to remember to specify automatic gearshift, most cars here are manual. Driving, you would go over the new bridge then about 25 miles on motorway (dual carriageway) and then about 25 miles on a single carriageway road, but a fairly straight main road. Route is well signposted. There are also more picturesque routes!  Train from Dalmeny to Leuchars is another possibility, but that would involve taxi at either end.

[winifred]

What course is he playing ? And when does your ship leave at night ? These are all factors to consider! 

[Dinglebert]

The current situation is that you are not going to cruise and all golf courses are closed.  I speak as a golfer whose house views the 18th fairway of my local course 50 yards away and who can't understand why I cant go and play a few holes on my own.

 

However to answer the question in a more positive way as if the cruise was on and you were going to land in South Queensferry.

The drive from South Queensferry to St Andrews is quick and easy, the rest is a bit of a mare.  You need a car.  You will not get to a car hire area in time to hire a car a drive to St Andrews, presumably hire some clubs and be ready to play.

 

However, if I was in your position I would contact one of the many specialist golf holiday companies and explain your issue.  They will (at a cost) get you there with clubs in time to play the course.  I hope you manage to do the cruise at a later date and are lucky in the ballot for tee times.

[Heidi13]

On 2/28/2020 at 7:35 AM, ronandannette said:

Hello!

 

We're sailing the British Isles in May and I'm having a heck of a time working out travel arrangements in some of the ports.  We tender in to South Queensferry on a Wednesday morning and my husband has a round of golf booked at St. Andrew's at noon.  Can you please advise on whether or not it's a fairly easy drive?  The current plan is a rental car for back and forth. Bearing in mind we drive on the right in Canada and are used to endless miles of wide open highway, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

As a St Andrews resident for many years, I have driven that route many times.

• By car, the easiest route is M90 north, over the Bridge then turn onto A91 (Junction 8). The A91 goes right to St Andrews. This is the longest option about 45 to 50 miles. Depending on day & time of day, allow over an hour, if unfamiliar with the roads. Most of A91 is 2-lanes, but lots of safe passing straights. The option I now use most of the time is M90 north, then turn onto A92 (junction 2A), which is just after Amazon. Remain on A92 until after Glenrothes and at a roundabout take the A914 to Cupar, then A91 to St Andrews. More of this route has dual carriageway, but still allow about 1 hr +. Be aware the roads all have extensive photo radar, both fixed and mobile.
• GPS/Google will probably suggest taking the A915 or A916 - might be shorter distance, but don't recommend them.
• Train - you can train from Dalmeny to Leuchars, but not many trains stop at Dalmeny, so not very frequent. You can also taxi to North queensferry, as more trains stop. At Leuchars, it is only 3 miles to St Andrews. Taxis are always available at Leuchars and they have a bus about every 10 mins or better.
• Express Bus - never used it, but know it is available
• Taxi/Limo

If driving, be aware that traffic in the town is crazy during the summer months and parking is always a challenge. There is a small parking lot by the R&A and additional parking out West Sands, but that is a good hike back to the Old Course. You can also try the old railway station/line, which now joins up with the University parking.

 

Not sure what time the ship sails, but expect at least 4 hrs on the course, so probably not getting back until around 19:00.