Latest news with #ChariotsofFire
Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish beach walk that ends at award winning fish and chips
The scenic bay famously featured in an iconic film. Temperatures are soaring all over Scotland, which means a trip to the beach is in order. For the Daily Record's latest Walk of the Week, we have chosen a breathtaking bay that is just a short walk from an award-winning fish and chip shop. West Sands is situated in the idyllic town of St Andrews in Fife. The beach is backed by sand dunes and the town's world-renowned golf courses. Stretching for nearly two miles, West Sands offers a seemingly limitless stretch of sand to explore. Whether you are travelling there with friends, family, or alone, it is hard to think of a better place to make the most of the sun this weekend. Movie buffs may recognise the beach from the iconic opening sequence of the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, in which a group of runners journey across the sand. West Sands is very popular amongst runners, but with temperatures set to be over 20 degrees in St Andrews this weekend make sure you don't overheat while trying to recreate the movie. For those travelling to West Sands by car, the beach offers plenty of parking. There are also toilets, while the amenities in St Andrews are easily accessible. After you are done soaking in the sun, your final stop before heading home should be Cromars. The fish and chip shop is only a short walk from West Sands, and is the perfect capper to a day out at the beach. The eatery has been recognised by numerous awards bodies over the years, including the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards and the National Fish and Chip Awards. It has also earned positive reviews from customers, with recent visitors describing it as "excellent" and "absolutely outstanding". See below for some photographs showing why West Sands is worth a visit this week. For further travel inspiration, a selection of the Daily Record's previous Walks of the Week can be found here: The 'virtually uninhabited' Scottish beach perfect for family summer day out The Scottish 'subtropical' garden that was crowned Family Venue of the Year The stunning Scottish beach with cosy pub by the sand perfect for family day out The perfect Scottish Father's Day hike that ends at inn with delicious Sunday roast The secret Scottish beach that was named 'best for dreamy holiday' The serene secret garden tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh's bustling city centre
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland's best seaside picnic spots with incredible views
While beach dining isn't for everyone, I certainly have a real fondness for it. If you do too, then this list will be just the ticket. Here, we round up five of Scotland's most scenic seaside picnic spots, all with incredible views to gaze at as you eat. Culzean Castle, Ayrshire There is a majestic stretch of towering cliffs, rocky shores and sandy bays around Culzean Castle that is perfect for picnicking and has plenty of scope for adventure. Not least when it comes to guddling in rock pools – or scouring the beach for other magical treasures. Read More: At low tide, the volcanic rock formations and lava platforms are brilliant for glimpsing pockets of marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for ghost prawns, sea urchins and starfish. Geology buffs, meanwhile, can enjoy looking for semi-precious stones, such as agate, jasper and amethyst. Tuck into a leisurely feast with vistas of Arran, Kintyre and Ailsa Craig. Afterwards, head back up into the castle grounds to grab dessert at the Aviary Ice Cream Parlour beside the Swan Pond. Seacliff, East Lothian This private and unspoilt beach, around five miles from North Berwick, offers spellbinding views of the Bass Rock and the ruins of Tantallon Castle. The tiny sandstone harbour, dating from the 1890s, is widely credited as the smallest in the UK. Popular among surfers, dog walkers and, yep, picnic lovers, Seacliff has graced the screen in a clutch of star-studded TV shows and films in recent times, including Outlaw King, Mary Queen of Scots and The Buccaneers. Car entry is controlled by a coin-operated barrier. If you fancy topping up your beach banquet with some coffee and cake, you are less than a 10-minute drive from Drift, a gorgeous cliff top cafe that operates out of converted shipping containers and a former horse trailer. Kingsbarns, Fife Fife is packed with coastal gems, from the family-friendly Burntisland and Aberdour Silver Sands to low-key beauties such as Leven Beach, which is believed to have inspired Jack Vettriano's famed painting The Singing Butler. Leven beach (Image: Alamy Stock Photo) There are the unmistakable golden panoramas of St Andrews West Sands, as captured on celluloid in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, and the classic East Neuk charm of Elie, Crail Roome Bay, Lower Largo and Kingsbarns. The latter beach, also known as Cambo Sands, has something for everyone, proffering soul-salving solitude and sheltered dunes, with ample opportunities for wildlife spotting, fossil hunting and rockpooling. In addition to being heavenly for hosting a picnic, Kingsbarns is a great place to tap into the growing outdoorsy wellness trend for 'wild saunas', aka 'hot boxes'. Wild Seaside Sauna has a location here – as well as at St Andrews West Sands and Elie – if you fancy giving it a whirl. Balmedie Country Park, Aberdeenshire This corner of north-east Scotland has the best of both worlds, with a beach and sand dunes, alongside heathland and wooded areas – all connected by a network of boardwalks and paths. These include the mile-long (1.7km) Ice House Route, which gives a window into a bygone era when fish caught along the coast would be stored in a series of underground, stone-vaulted structures deep within the dunes – an early form of refrigeration. Read More: If you hanker after a post-picnic ice cream, the Sand Bothy kiosk is open on weekends. Another excellent facility is Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs, a free, volunteer-run service, which is staffed on Sundays from noon until 3pm and bookable in advance at other times. Westport Beach, Kintyre, Argyll Picking a picnic beach on the Kintyre peninsula is no easy task, simply because you are spoiled for choice. Westport Beach, with its six miles of golden sand, rarely feels overcrowded. It is set against a backdrop of the mighty Machrihanish Dunes which, the largest of their kind in mainland Argyll, are designated as a Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI). Don't be surprised if you see folk with binoculars and fancy cameras: the area is renowned for myriad bird species – Leach's petrel, Balearic shearwater, grey phalarope and Sabine's gull – with Machrihanish Seabird and Wildlife Observatory only a short jaunt down the coast. Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Scotsman
Premier Stays Fife expands its luxury portfolio in the home of golf
A new chapter is unfolding for discerning travellers seeking unforgettable stays in the heart of Scotland's most iconic coastal town. Premier Stays Fife, the trusted name in premium self-catering accommodation, has expanded its already impressive collection of holiday properties in St Andrews, famously known as The Home of Golf. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... From championship fairways to medieval charm, St Andrews remains a magnet for golfers, heritage lovers, and coastal explorers. Premier Stays Fife continues to redefine what it means to stay in style—offering homes that blend five-star comfort with unbeatable access to the town's historic and cultural treasures. New Properties Worth Discovering Among the latest additions to the portfolio is "The Old Schoolhouse", a tastefully converted Victorian building with vaulted ceilings, original stonework, and views across the rolling Links. Perfect for golf groups or family retreats, it's located just minutes from the 18th hole of the Old Course. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fisherman cottage living area leading to garden Also new is "West Sands Residence", a modern coastal apartment featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony, and uninterrupted views of West Sands Beach—famously featured in Chariots of Fire. It's a haven for couples seeking luxury and seclusion with nature on their doorstep. Finally, "Cathedral View Lodge" offers a truly unique stay. Nestled in the heart of St Andrews' historic quarter, it combines contemporary design with panoramic sights of the ancient St Andrews Cathedral. A peaceful retreat with every modern amenity, it's already booking fast for the summer season. Where Tradition Meets Luxury "People come to St Andrews for the golf, but they fall in love with the atmosphere, the views, the history,' says a spokesperson from Premier Stays Fife. 'Our goal is to give guests not just a place to stay, but a place to feel part of something timeless." Fisherman cottage garden With each handpicked property, the company offers more than a getaway—it offers the chance to live the legend of St Andrews, whether for a long weekend or an extended retreat.
Irish Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
He took up running 70 years ago - now 'sprinting monk' finally has gold medal
An elderly monk has shown off his gold medal for winning his first athletic championship at the age of 81 - after 70 years of trying. Dubbed the 'sprinting monk', Father John Gribben - inspired by the film Chariots of Fire - ran the 60m, 200m, and 400m sprint races in aid of poor children in Africa. He has now been pictured with gold medal he won in a 400 metre race - fulfilling an ambition that has spanned decades. Father John, originally from Belfast, first took up running 70 years ago in the 1950s. The pious pacer, said he almost collapsed at the time, but has flourished in the last ten years and now takes two buses every Saturday morning to attend a Parkrun event in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. He has also raised £6,000 (€7,100) for the Tariro charity, which helps young people in Zimbabwe. In February, Father John beat out the competition to take gold in the 80+ category at the British Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre in London. He completed the race in two minutes, three seconds, 190 milliseconds. Despite the unexpected win, Father John says he doesn't believe there was any divine intervention behind his win, instead crediting it to his hard work and the support others have given him. He said: 'I'd hate to think that I was using something that gave me an advantage of the others other than my training and my strength. But, the encouragement that comes from my faith is a great help. There have been bad nights, or nights when I've had too much to eat, when I'm not in the mood for going out for a run. 'I just say to my saviour, 'if you go with me, I'll go running', and then I start to get my gear on and go out. As to being given an extra surge of energy or strength, I'm not sure that would be fair.' The sprightly monk continues to take two buses every Saturday to attend his local Parkrun before heading home to his Monastery – taking time to stop for a bacon butty first. As well as his gold in the 400 metres, Father John also achieved bronze in the 60 metres with a time of 13.16 seconds, and in the 200 metres with a time of 47.66 seconds. Father John joined the Community of the Resurrection in Mirfield, West Yorks., in 1979, after moving from Belfast. He discovered the monastery on a visit to Liverpool in 1966, while he was watching Brazil play in the World Cup, and was taken by its beauty he made the move 13 years later as there was a lack of Anglican churches in Ireland. He's since devoted his life to prayer, worship, and ministry. For the last 10 years, he's found solace in running and keeps fit by training six days a week, involving a mixture of running around the monastery, at his local Parkrun and hitting the gym. Click here to donate to Father John's fundraising efforts.
eNCA
07-06-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Fun facts about the Comrades Marathon
DURBAN - More than 22,000 runners will line up in Pietermaritzburg to take on the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday. This year's race will be a down run from Pietermaritzburg City Hall to Durban. Here are some fascinating facts that capture the spirit and history of the race. Founded in 1921 by World War I veteran Vic Clapham, the Comrades Marathon was created to honour South African soldiers who died during the war. The first race saw 34 starters, with only 16 finishing, laying the foundation for a global sporting legacy. Recognised as the largest and oldest ultramarathon, the Comrades covers approximately 86–90 kilometres (depending on the route) between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. It draws elite athletes and amateurs from around the world. The race alternates direction each year: The 'up run' starts in Durban and ends in Pietermaritzburg, while the 'down run' reverses the route. Each direction presents unique challenges, with the up run featuring more climbs and the down run known for punishing descents. In 2022, Tete Dijana set the men's down run record with a time of 5:13:58, while Gerda Steyn holds the women's down run record at 5:44:54, also set in 2022. These times reflect an astonishing pace for nearly 90 km. Wally Hayward, a five-time winner, became the oldest finisher in 1989 at age 80, completing the race 58 years after his first victory in 1930. His enduring legacy inspires runners of all ages. The Comrades is steeped in tradition, starting with a gunshot and the playing of Chariots of Fire and Sweet Caroline. Another unique ritual is the exchange of a greeting letter between the mayors of Durban and Pietermaritzburg at the finish. The Comrades Marathon House in Pietermaritzburg houses a museum showcasing medals, memorabilia, photographs, and a detailed route model, offering fans a deep dive into the race's history.
