Castle Sands Forever Project Sees Progress with Community Involvement

Local businesses in St Andrews have gotten involved with the Castle Sands Forever project in an effort to restore the tidal pool at Castle Sands. Three sister restaurants, The Adamson, The Physician, and Hatch, have added an optional donation to customers’ bills, the funds of which will go toward the project. Other local businesses are also selling Castle Sands calendars, with profits going to the cause.

The Castle Sands Forever initiative is led by the Hamish Foundation in coordination with the Bob & Blether women’s swimming group to restore the tidal pool at Castle Sands beach, install a safety handrail, and build a changing area for bathers. The program needs approximately £65,000 to £85,000 for construction. Debbie MacCallum, co-founder of the Hamish Foundation, said the project has raised about £25,000 to £30,000 so far.

“We will continue to fundraise and raise awareness and continue getting the pressure on so we can finally get this work done,” MacCallum said. “It’s been brilliant because this group has been fantastic to fundraise with.”

Amy Pickles (of Bob & Blether), Debbie MacCallum (of Hamish Foundation), and Nicola McLaren (of Bob & Blether)

Castle Sands calendars are available for purchase online through the Hamish Foundation website and through local vendors, including Naturity St Andrews, The Cheesy Toast Shack, Ostara, Bibi's Café, St Andrews Heritage Museum & Garden, and East Nook Studio. Mariela Dominguez-Leandro, the owner of Ostara, said she enjoys giving back to the community.

“Having the calendars in the shop has sparked so many warm conversations at the till,” Dominguez-Leandro said. “St Andrews has supported our wee independent shop so much, and it feels good to be able to give something back, even in a small way, by helping raise funds and keeping the project visible day to day.”

Community events have also helped to fundraise. The Adamson hosted a fundraising lunch on 23 January for Castle Sands Forever. Profits from auctions, a raffle, and a portion of the tickets went to the project. The event raised £8,150. Julie Dalton, Managing Director of The Adamson, said the community was crucial for the event’s success.

“There were so many people in town giving us raffle prizes and auction prizes for the event,” Dalton said. “That’s why we raised so much money. Everyone was super kind.”

In addition to fundraising, Castle Sands Forever is seeking support via trusts and other sources, including the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation, the Common Good Fund, Fife Environment Trust, the Crown Estate Fund, and the University of St Andrews.

Castle Sands Forever was the idea of Linda Anne Beaulier, a co-founder of the Hamish Foundation who died shortly before the project officially launched. MacCallum said she wants to continue the project in her memory.

“We basically started fundraising because we had so much momentum,” MacCallum said. “What was Linda’s project has now become mine and everyone’s who gets involved.”

One of the roadblocks that the project faced was getting approval from Fife Council. The Council owns the pool and must approve any construction on the site. However, MacCallum said the Hamish Foundation recently received positive news from Fife Council regarding the issue, so the renovation project will be moving forward as planned.

The Castle Sands tidal pool was originally a ladies’ bathing pool and included a changing area, handrails, and sturdier stonework — amenities that MacCallum wants to reintroduce. The spot is popular with a number of swimming groups, including the Wild Saints, a University wild swimming group. Alex McNeil, president of Wild Saints, said the society intends to get involved with supporting the project.

“We have a party planned likely on 28 March with a small entry fee, and all proceeds will go to the project. We're also looking at doing some fundraising challenges and bake sales in early March and through April, and we'd like to help sell the calendars that have been made,” McNeil said. “The pool is important to us and anyone who swims wild at St Andrews.”

Amy Pickles, a member of the Bob & Blether swimming group, said the tidal pool is a vital and uniting space for the community.

“It’s amazing because it makes you feel great, but it’s also amazing because it brings you together,” Pickles said. “We need to preserve it.”

Photos provided by Joshua Pantano