“A Rare Historical Gem”: Castle Siege Tunnels Closed Indefinitely?

When the sixteenth-century siege tunnels underneath St Andrews Castle were closed in mid-October 2024, visitors were told simply that they would be “open again soon.”  A year on, these underground tunnels remain sealed off to the public. 

In a written comment to The Saint on the historical value of these siege tunnels, Professor Rory Cox, a Senior Lecturer in History at the University, said, “The sixteenth-century siege mine and counter-mine below St Andrews Castle [are] rare historical gem[s]. By design, medieval siege tunnels were intended to be destroyed, so that any overlying fortifications would collapse into the mine. Those tunnels that were not deliberately destroyed have collapsed in the intervening centuries.”

He added: “As far as I know, the almost 500-year-old mine and counter-mine in St Andrews are unique [in] mainland Europe. Historically speaking, they are certainly the most interesting and unusual aspect of St Andrews Castle.”

“The fact that the tunnels have already been closed for repairs for a year — with no re-opening date in sight — is a travesty,” Cox said. 

(Nathalie Hanzlik-Meech, 2nd-year student, in the St Andrew Castle siege tunnels in September 2024).

A representative from the Historic Environment Scotland St Andrews Castle team confirmed that the tunnels were closed due to safety concerns. Minor rock falls had been reported inside, and the decision to seal the tunnels was taken to prevent any potential risk to visitors.

Staff at St Andrews Castle said the timeline for renovation has not yet been determined and is “not for [them] to decide.” Specialist masons are required on certain historic sites, and demand for their expertise is often high. 

The renovation could also take longer than usual as the tunnels stretch beneath a road, which may need to be closed to allow the work to proceed safely. Officials stressed that this closure should not be taken negatively, but rather as an essential step to protect and preserve the historic site. 

Professor Michael Brown, professor of Scottish History at the University, is concerned by the prolonged closure of these tunnels. According to Professor Brown, “the closure of the mine is not an isolated episode.” Instead, “parts of the cathedral are also closed, and many other Historic Scotland sites are fully or partially closed due, apparently, to structural concerns.” 

Crucially, Professor Brown noted that “[s]uch concerns do not seem to be affecting English Heritage or Cadw (Welsh heritage body) to the same extent.” Professor Brown is among a group of university staff dedicated to preserving the 612-year-old institution’s heritage, and that of the surrounding town. 

Speaking on the University’s involvement in preserving St Andrews’ medieval heritage, Professor Brown said: “A number of modules use the buildings and even the street plan of the town as primary sources for the social organisation and representation of status in the medieval and early modern past.”

In 2017, Professor Brown was involved in the publication of an edited volume on Medieval St Andrews and later helped organise a related exhibition at the Wardlaw Museum in 2021. At present, he is part of a team of university staff and students working with the Historic Towns Trust to produce a historical map of the town.

Professor Brown believes that these activities help preserve the essence of historical St Andrews and make this history “available to a wider public which includes students, citizens of St Andrews, and the millions of visitors who come here every year."

The siege tunnels at St Andrews Castle will remain closed for the foreseeable future. According to staff at the site, a professional renovation is planned. In the meantime, visitors can explore the castle grounds without disruption from scaffolding or construction work. Entry remains free of charge for students at the University. 

Photo provided by Daniel Carpena