St Andrews Spinkie Den (1.3 miles)
Start at the bus station on City Road which is the only way to arrive in St Andrews by public transport these days. The railway station was formerly situated next door but closed in 1969 and is now a car park. Part of the old line through the town has been converted into a public right of way named Viaduct Walk and we pick this up by walking a few steps to the roundabout, turning right on to Doubledykes Road then bearing left through two car parks (built on top of the old trackbed) before reaching the footpath. A good quarter of a mile of access exists, crossing the titular viaduct over the Kinness Burn. We emerge at Canongate where we turn right towards the St Andrews Botanic Garden. There is an admission charge plus a supplement for the acclaimed Butterfly House.
Continue along Canongate, passing the junction with John Knox Road. Look out for a path to the left which leads into Spinkie Den. The route clings to the top of the gorge with the dismantled railway on the other side. Eventually we hook up with the trackbed for a short stretch before branching right to take a footpath which skirts a field. We then join a minor road with a humpbacked bridge. This is the sight of Mount Melville Station and some vague remains can be found if you poke around in the undergrowth.
You can retrace your steps through the den but it's quicker to take the nearby A915 back into town. It's safe to walk here as there is a broad grassy strip where the road passes a caravan site and a pavement soon appears. The centre of St Andrews is compact and easy to explore on foot. The cathedral and harbour areas are worth a look. The St Andrews Brewing Company has its tap room on South Street and The Criterion is a traditional alehouse a bit further along the road. Also on South Street is Iain Mellis traditional cheesmongers. Book lovers should pop into Topping & Company in Greyfriars Garden. J&G Innes is a traditional stationer and bookseller which has been trading on corner premises on South Street for over 90 years.
