The Pilgrimage to St Andrews — The Mecca of Golf

For centuries, St Andrews has been a destination for pilgrims. Long before golfers travelled to the Old Course, religious pilgrims journeyed to the Scottish coast to honour the relics of Saint Andrew.

This article explores the fascinating connections between medieval pilgrimage and the modern golfing pilgrimage to St Andrews. It traces the historical routes through Europe and across the Firth of Forth, revealing the importance of North Berwick as a link between the two traditions.

The story extends to south-west France, where Scottish gentlemen played winter golf at Pau and established connections with the pioneers of American golf, including those associated with Newport, Shinnecock Hills and The Country Club, Brookline.

Drawing upon the research behind The Gentry Links Trilogy, the article demonstrates how two celebrated Scottish golfing paintings provide evidence of much wider historical relationships.

First published in The Golf, the journal of the Golf Heritage Society, Winter 2025.