Description:

On a headland to the north of St Andrews stand the ruins of the city's castle, the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews and the focal point of the church in medieval Scotland.

Explore the underground 16th-century siege mine and counter-mine, and the 'bottle dungeon', one of the most infamous castle prisons in medieval Britain, which was cut out of the solid rock. John Knox and George Wishart may have been imprisoned in this dank and airless space, and this is where its believed Cardinal Beaton’s body was kept when he was murdered in 1546.

The siege that followed, led by the Regent Arran, caused extensive damage. It also resulted in the creation of the castle’s most remarkable features – the mine (dug by Regent Arran’s troops) and countermine (dug by the Protestant rebels). These underground passages of medieval siege warfare are unique.

Archbishop John Hamilton (1546–71) repaired the badly damaged castle, giving it a new entrance front. The ornate Hamilton Façade is in stark contrast to the defences built by previous residents. It reflects Hamilton’s wealth and power as well as changes in architectural styles. But Hamilton’s tenure was brought to an early end, because he opposed the Reformation. He was eventually hanged.

St Andrews Castle was left without a resident or a purpose when bishops were abolished in 1592. It fell rapidly into ruin.