Blackfriars

Blackfriars is a ruin of a Dominican friary in St Andrews with preserved stone walls and a vaulted choir. The remains stand at the corner of Bell Street and South Street and show the layout of a medieval religious building.

The Dominican community was founded in the mid-15th century and grew over the following decades. It was destroyed in 1559 during the Reformation, when religious changes brought an end to this community.

The ruins show how Dominican monks lived and taught in medieval Scotland. The remains stand at a central location in the town and tell of their role in the community's religious life.

The ruins are freely accessible during the day and require no entrance fee. The stone remains are sturdy enough to observe, but watch for uneven surfaces when exploring the site.

The community grew in the 1510s and doubled its membership before being destroyed by external events. This rapid expansion just before sudden collapse shows the fragility of the era.

Location: Fife

GPS coordinates: 56.33874,-2.79823

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:40