Old Photograph South Castle Street St Andrews Fife Scotland

Old photograph of houses and people on South Castle Street in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. In the 15th century North Castle Street was known as Fishergait, with the surrounding area known as “Ladyhead”. In the 17th century Fishergait was renamed Castle Wynd, before becoming North Castle Street in 1843. The early name indicates the importance of fishing for the early settlement; also reflected by its proximity to the harbour, which became more established in the 12th century. In AD 906, the town became the seat of the bishop of Alba, with the boundaries of the see being extended to include land between the River Forth and River Tweed. In 940 Constantine III abdicated and took the position of abbot of the monastery of St Andrews. The establishment of the present town began around 1140 by Bishop Robert possibly on the site of the ruined St Andrews Castle. According to a charter of 1170, the new burgh was built to the west of the Cathedral precinct, along Castle Street and possibly as far as what is now known as North Street.



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