Craigtown Castle

Since moving to the non-sea-side edge of town in September, I have enjoyed exploring the ‘country’ roads of St Andrews just outside of town.  Some day soon I will put up some pictures of the views along these roads.  They rise above St Andrews and include wonderful views of the church and cathedral spires, the sea, and everything in between. The roads wind along hay fields, streams, foliage, rock walls, and through prime pheasant territory.  Twenty years ago they were probably all gravel roads.  Fifty years ago, they were probably muddy roads.  They are roads for which this country girl is very thankful.

Today I explored just a bit further than I had previously done and stumbled upon one of St Andrew’s best kept secrets – for photographers, nature lovers, dog walkers and children alike.   I discovered Craigtown Park.  I had heard of Craigtown Park and had seen a sign for it, but thought for some silly reason that it was nothing more than a set of playground equipment for children.  Boy was I wrong!

I know it’s a secret because on a beautiful day such as today, with barely a cloud in the sky or a rustle in the leaves, I saw less than a handful of people enjoying the spacious acreage of the park.  If Old Man Winter ever decides to stop by St Andrews, the park will be all mine.  

The park, though it does have children’s playground equipment, feels more like a nature reserve.  At this time of year the trees are all turning colours, with the Beech trees a gorgeous yellow glistening in the sun, and orange leaves from last week’s colour peak now decorating the ground. 

In the park is a huge pond with ducks swimming about, a small waterfall leading from the pond to the stream that flows under numerous bridges as it meanders about, leading to another pond at the far end of the park. 

Also meandering throughout the trees and leaves are train tracks—tracks just wide enough for a children’s train to take wee ones on their overland adventures on warm summer days. 

Not only did I happen to grab my camera (as I’m prone to do on sunny days such as this), but the day was a rare one for another reason.  There was very little wind.  And the lack of wind, combined with the water of the park, combined with one of my greatest St Andrews discoveries yet, made for some beautiful scenery. 

What was this Great Discovery?  A castle!  Well, a smallish building shaped entirely like a castle on a smallish pond , complete with its own mote and stone bridge leading to the castle grounds!   

How magnificent is this?  With the combination of the colours of the ‘castle’ roofs and the colours of the fall foliage surrounding it, combined then with their perfect reflection in the calm waters, it was a magnificent scene. 

I saw signs regarding rules for boat usage, which must be a summer-time highlight.  A boat, especially if it was a punting boat, would be about the only thing that could add to a scene such as this. 

I do love new discoveries.  Especially when they are this cool.