Valentine's Day Outside the Bubble

While it is undeniable that St Andrews is a romantic town (Kate and Wills, Patrick Hamilton’s slow-burning on North Street), the cross to bear for St Andreans is that everyone knows everyone. Everywhere you go you’re sure to see someone you recognize, for better or for worse. That’s why for your Valentine’s Day date, maybe it’s time to leave the bubble for a bit and explore somewhere new. The cities of Edinburgh and Dundee fit the bill.

Dundee may not seem like the most date-friendly city to spend the day in, but I think that it’s underrated in that regard. A maybe-not-so-hidden gem is the Dundee Centre for the Contemporary Arts. Here you can browse art galleries, buy locally made pottery and jewelry, eat in the cafe and bar, as well as see a film in the cinema (I saw Nosferatu there)- such a classic date.

One of my favorite places in Dundee is the McManus Museum - local and natural history is on the ground floor and the art exhibits live upstairs. The building itself is absolutely gorgeous and with the art (both modern and more classical paintings) you could get lost for hours. I didn’t know that it existed until I stumbled upon it by chance and I’m so glad that I did! Something that sets Dundee apart from St Andrews is a wider selection of restaurants, while you could go for Tailend (come on…), since you’re here you should try a cuisine that St Andrews lacks. Dundee is a good date city because of its proximity and low cost (free bus with your YoungScot card!) while also giving you a breather from the bubble.

Credit: Ella Byrne-Cabot

The best way to start your day is with a train ride to Edinburgh with your S.O.,  there’s just something about watching the countryside go by with the company of your special friend. Once you’re in Edinburgh, try something new. Blank Street Coffee recently and virally opened a location there, so see what the hype is all about.

Credit: Ella Byrne-Cabot

Now the gallery hopping begins - start with the National Portrait Gallery and look at the faces of those who came before. Surely you and your beau’s love will one day be immortalized in portraiture – although, it’s unbelievable that they still haven't commissioned a painting of you. The Scottish National Gallery also can’t be missed, see one of the most beautiful portraits of all time, “Lady Agnew of Lochnaw” by John Singer Sargent.

Credit: Ella Byrne-Cabot

What is she thinking about? And what are you going to have for lunch? Chez Jules is a petite French bistro that boasts delicious set menu lunches, featuring oh so amour-ous French food like moules frites and coq au vin. If you sojourn into the St James’ Quarter, you can go into the Lego store and make mini figurines of each other, a little Lego-memento.

On the train ride back to the bubble, you can reflect on how you feel. I myself felt glad to have left but also relieved to return to the safety of the town. Sheltered in the confines of St Andrews, I’ll remain until the next weekend when I feel the urge to escape for a little while.