The medieval pier at St Andrews Harbour, which was closed to the public due to devastating storm damage, will reopen in a blaze of glory next week.
During the storms of November 2023, the 14th century structure suffered substantial damage to the tune of £3M, sparking a major fundraising drive and months of repairs to the harbour area, which remain ongoing.
With the seawall breach now restored and the walkways relaid, the main pier will reopen to the public from the morning of Thursday 1 May 2025, following the annual Gaudie Procession the evening before (Wednesday 30 April 2025).
The torchlit procession and pier walk, organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, commemorates John Honey, a student who rescued members of the crew of the vessel Janet of Macduff in 1800. Every year, students, led by a piper, process by candlelight to the East Sands where they lay a wreath at the site of the shipwreck.
After processing from Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews, the public are welcome to view the spectacle on the pier from around 7.30pm.
The bulk of the repairs to date have been funded by a £360,000 grant from the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, allowing the seawall breach to be restored and the walkways to be relaid. Works were carried out by Lochgelly-based Realm Construction, part of the Purvis Group. Donations have also been provided by several trusts and foundations, with nearly £20,000 donated by the University of St Andrews student community (students and alumni).
However, the repair work is far from complete. Major engineering repairs to restore the pier’s connection to the cliffs remain unfunded, requiring approximately £2M. With major grant applications underway, it is thought that a funding gap of around £0.5M will remain.
Ken Sweeney, Chairman, St Andrews Harbour Trust, commented, “After more than 16 months of closure, the reopening of the pier marks a significant milestone for both St Andrews Harbour Trust and the wider community. The progress made since the storm damage occurred has been nothing short of remarkable.
“Special recognition goes to Realm Construction, whose tradesmen have worked tirelessly, in all weathers and challenging conditions, to bring the pier back to life. Reopening the pier in time for the Gaudie Procession feels especially meaningful. This beloved and iconic tradition, where students and townspeople gather as night falls, has long symbolised the close bond between town and gown. To have the pier ready for this celebration adds a powerful layer of significance to the occasion.
“However, our work is far from finished. Essential repairs to the structure, especially to less visible but equally critical areas, are still needed, so we are appealing to the public, individuals and businesses alike, to help bridge the remaining £500,000 funding gap. Their generosity to date has been extraordinary, and with continued support, we can finish what we’ve started and preserve this cherished landmark for years to come.”
Guy Nichols, Gaudie Convenor, added, “The Gaudie is an incredibly important date in the Kate Kennedy Club and wider student calendar and we are absolutely thrilled that our event will return to its former glory with the pier reopening. The pier and harbour area generally are so important to the student community, and it’s fantastic to see the repairs progressing to this point. However, if pier walks are to continue for generations, we need to ensure that this beautiful part of Scotland remains protected from further storm damage so we’ll be doing all we can to encourage more donations to the repair fund as the year goes on. We can’t wait for the event and hope to see as many townsfolk join us in our celebrations on the night!”
Over the last year, the Trust has also received considerable funding from local organisations and trusts, including Iona Stephen, Charities Aid Foundation, The Hamish Foundation, Lodge St Andrews No 25 and St Andrews Ball.
Meanwhile, with £2 million required to repair the NW Slip and Pier Landfall, £18,700 was generated through the Trust’s JustGiving and GoFundMe pages. An additional £15,000 was donated by St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation with £10,000 grants awarded by The Kinburn Charitable Trust, St Andrews Heritage Fund and St Andrews Community Trust, respectively. Other donations were provided by The Fellowship of St Andrews and the University of St Andrews Community Fund.
To donate, visit https://www.standrewsharbourtrust.org/
