On a headland to the north of St Andrews stand the ruins of the city’s castle. St Andrews Castle was the official residence of Scotland’s leading bishop (and later archbishop) throughout the Middle Ages. Its scale demonstrated the power and wealth of the bishops, and it was the setting for many important events which determined the course of Scottish history. Some of the key moments leading up to the Scottish Reformation in 1560 were played out within its precinct. These include the burning of George Wishart, the Protestant preacher, the murder of Cardinal Beaton, and the great siege of 1546–7, when Rev John Knox was one of the garrison.Today, visitors can go underground and explore the medieval siege mine and counter-mine from the siege of 1546-67. Visitor centre with exhibition exploring the rich history. Open daily all year from 9.30am to last entry at 5pm (1 April to 30 September) or 4pm (1 October to 31 March).