Supermarket
Tesco Express
The most central option for basics. Small but stocks the essentials. Gets busy around 5pm when students finish lectures.
130 Market Street6am–11pm daily
The St Andrews Guide · For New Residents
Living in St Andrews.
Just moved to town? This is everything we wish someone had told us — where to shop, where to find second-hand furniture, how to get around, where the jobs are, and how to make St Andrews feel like home.
7
sections
40+
local tips
18
years living here
1
great wee town
Written by Wendy
Co-owner · Fife born · 18 years in St Andrews hospitality
Reviewed by Gordon · updated
First published 1 September 2024
01
Groceries & everyday shopping
St Andrews is small but well-served. You won't find a massive Tesco here — the big supermarkets are in Dundee or Cupar — but for day-to-day shopping, you're covered.
Supermarket
Co-op Food
Slightly larger than Tesco, better for a proper weekly shop. Good bakery section and decent wine selection.
Church Street7am–10pm daily
Supermarket
Morrisons Daily
On the edge of town towards the Scores. Useful if you're staying that side. Has a reasonable deli counter.
City Road7am–10pm daily
Budget supermarket
Aldi (Cupar)
15 minutes' drive for a proper big shop at budget prices. Worth the trip if you're stocking up. We can take you there and back.
Cupar Retail Park
Go mid-week, mid-morning to avoid the queues.
Butcher
J&G Innes
Proper Scottish butcher. Great for steak pies, haggis, black pudding, and local beef. The staff know their cuts.
189 South Street8am–5pm Mon–Sat
Bakery
Fisher & Donaldson
Legendary local bakery. The fudge doughnuts are famous. Also does excellent pies, bread, and cakes. Queue out the door on Saturdays.
13 Church Street6am–5pm Mon–Sat
Get there before 10am for the best selection.
02
Farmers markets & local produce
Fife has a strong local food scene. The farmers market is the highlight, but there are good farm shops year-round.
Weekly market
St Andrews Farmers Market
First Saturday of every month on Market Street. Local veg, cheese, bread, fish, meat, and crafts. This is where locals do their quality shopping.
Market Street9am–1pm, first Saturday monthly
Bring cash — not all stalls take card.
Farm shop & cafe
Balgove Larder
Just outside town. Excellent butcher, deli, and cafe. The steak barn in summer is a local institution — proper charcoal-grilled beef. Farm shop stocks local honey, eggs, and seasonal veg.
Strathtyrum Estate, just off the A919am–5pm daily
The steak nights book up fast in summer. Reserve ahead.
Farm shop
Ardross Farm Shop
About 10 minutes towards Elie. Excellent for fresh produce, local eggs, and seasonal fruit. Has a nice cafe too.
Ardross Farm, Elie9am–5pm daily
Food hub & market
Bowhouse
Near Kingsbarns, 15 minutes from town. A converted steading with food producers, a smokehouse, and regular weekend markets. The best local food destination in Fife.
Bowhouse, St Monans
The weekend markets (check their site for dates) are worth planning around.
03
Second-hand & charity shops
St Andrews punches well above its weight for charity shops — students leaving every summer means good turnover of quality stuff.
Charity shop
British Heart Foundation
Two shops in town — one for clothing, one for furniture. The furniture shop on Argyle Street is particularly good for students setting up flats.
Market Street & Argyle Street9:30am–4:30pm Mon–Sat
Charity shop
Shelter Scotland
Good for books, homewares, and clothing. Often has quality donations from the wealthier end of town.
South Street10am–4pm Mon–Sat
Charity shop
Cancer Research UK
Reliable for clothing and accessories. Worth checking regularly as stock turns over fast.
Bell Street9am–5pm Mon–Sat
Charity shop
St Andrews Community Trust Shop
Local charity, so your money stays in town. Eclectic mix — books, kitchenware, sometimes furniture.
South Street10am–4pm Mon–Sat
Online
Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree
End of university terms (June, December) are goldmines. Students offload everything from bikes to sofas. Also check the 'St Andrews Buy & Sell' and 'St Andrews Community' Facebook groups.
Set alerts for 'St Andrews' on Gumtree/Marketplace — furniture goes fast.
Online
Fife Freegle
Free stuff. People post items they're giving away. Good for basics when you're setting up.
04
Part-time work & job hunting
The university, hospitality, and golf industries are the big employers. Most part-time work is in cafes, bars, hotels, and retail.
Job board
University of St Andrews Jobs
The university is the town's biggest employer. Jobs range from library assistants to bar staff to research roles. Students get priority for some positions.
Check the 'Student Jobs' section specifically if you're studying.
One of the largest employers in town. Hires for housekeeping, F&B, spa, reception, and events year-round. Seasonal peaks around The Open and Dunhill Links.
Golf courses
St Andrews Links Trust
Runs all seven public courses. Hires starters, marshals, shop staff, and greenkeepers. Seasonal work peaks spring through autumn.
Various
Hospitality (cafes, bars, restaurants)
Walk into places with a CV. Northpoint, Zest, The Vic, Forgans, The Rule, Tailend — all hire regularly. Term-time is busy, summer can be quieter for student-focused spots.
Hand your CV in person, mid-afternoon when it's quiet. Follow up a week later.
Freelance
Tutoring
If you're a postgrad or have subject expertise, private tutoring pays well. Advertise on noticeboards in the library and student union, or on Facebook groups.
Job boards
Indeed & Reed
Search for 'St Andrews' or 'Fife' for local listings. Retail, care work, admin, and delivery jobs often posted here.
05
Getting around without a car
St Andrews is walkable, but you'll need options for Dundee, Edinburgh, and bigger shops.
Public transport
Stagecoach buses
The 99 to Dundee runs every 10–15 minutes and takes about 30 mins. The X24/X26 to Edinburgh takes around 2 hours. Buy a Stagecoach app ticket for slight savings.
Get a Stagecoach Fife megarider if you'll travel regularly — weekly/monthly passes save money.
Rail
Leuchars train station
6 miles from town. Direct trains to Edinburgh (1hr) and connections to Glasgow, London, and the north. We run shuttles to Leuchars daily.
Book trains in advance on Trainline or LNER for the best fares.
Private hire
St Andrews Shuttle
That's us. For airport runs, big shops in Dundee, or anything the bus doesn't cover well, we're here. Students and locals get repeat-booking rates.
Bike
Cycling
The town is flat and compact. The Tentsmuir path is beautiful for longer rides. Second-hand bikes appear on Facebook Marketplace regularly, or try Spokes (bike shop on South Street).
06
Community & making friends
St Andrews is small enough that you'll start recognising faces quickly. Here's how to plug in.
Online community
St Andrews Community Facebook Groups
'St Andrews Scotland community' and 'St Andrews Buy & Sell' are the main ones. Good for local news, recommendations, and finding things.
Clubs
University societies
Even if you're not a student, some societies welcome locals — particularly sports clubs, music groups, and volunteering societies. Check the Students' Association website.
Running
Parkrun
Free 5k every Saturday morning at 9:30am in Craigtoun Park. All paces welcome, very friendly. A good way to meet active locals.
Sports
St Andrews Bowling Club
Not just for retirees — they welcome new members of all ages. Social nights and competitions. Very Scottish.
Community
Volunteering
The Byre Theatre, local charities, and the Botanic Garden all take volunteers. Good way to meet people and build local connections.
Social
The pub
The Whey Pat, The Central, The Rule, The Keys — pick a local and become a regular. That's how it works in a small Scottish town.
07
Essential services & admin
The practical stuff you need to sort when you first arrive.
Healthcare
GP (Doctor)
Pipeland Medical Practice is the main surgery. Register as soon as you arrive — you'll need proof of address. NHS Scotland covers most things.
Pipeland Road
Healthcare
Dentist
Several options in town. MyDentist on South Street takes NHS patients but can have waiting lists. Private options available too.
Services
Post Office
On South Street, inside WHSmith. Handles parcels, banking basics, and currency exchange.
South Street (inside WHSmith)9am–5:30pm Mon–Sat
Services
Library
The public library is on Church Square — free to join, has computers, printing, and local information. The University library is separate (students only).
Church Square
Admin
Council Tax
Full-time students are exempt from council tax. You'll need to apply for exemption through Fife Council and get a letter from the university confirming your status.
Admin
Bins & recycling
Fife Council runs the collection. You'll get different coloured bins for general waste, recycling, and food/garden waste. Collection schedules vary by area — check the Fife Council website.
Welcome to the town
Need a lift while you settle in?
Big Ikea run to Dundee? Airport pickup for visiting family? Furniture collection from Facebook Marketplace? We're here for locals too, not just tourists. Fixed prices, friendly drivers, no meters.