Food lovers, VIPs and fundraisers gathered at St Andrews restaurant The Adamson last Friday for a special Burns Supper that raised £8150 towards the restoration of the town’s much-loved Castle Sands tidal pool.
The lively Burns Ladies Lunch was hosted by Julie Dalton, director of St Andrews venues The Adamson, Hatch and The Physician Cocktail Bar, and welcomed more than 60 guests in support of The Castle Sands Tidal Pool Renovation Project, run by the Hamish McHamish Foundation.
The project aims to raise a total of £80,000 to restore the historic open-air seawater pool which has been part of St Andrews’ coastal life for generations.
After falling into disrepair in recent years, the tidal pool is now the focus of a community-led campaign to carry out essential structural repairs, safety improvements and long-term preservation, ensuring it can once again be safely enjoyed by locals, families and visitors.
The fundraising lunch at The Adamson featured an auction supported by local businesses and brands – from local swimming group Bob and Blether, The Old Course Hotel, Fairmont St Andrews and Rusacks Hotel, to Kingsbarns Distillery, St Andrews Links Trust, and more – alongside a raffle to boost donations.
Liberal Democrat MP for Northeast Fife, Wendy Chamberlain, also attended in support of the event.
Guests enjoyed a specially crafted Burns-inspired three course menu by MasterChef of Great Britain Rory MacCrimmon, with TV presenter Martel Maxwell and Caroline Blair hosting the afternoon’s event, and live music from young Scottish singer-songwriter Jake Pollock from Dumfries, who gained fame for writing an unofficial Scotland anthem for Euro 2024 titled ‘Alba gu Bràth’.
Guests also enjoyed an after party in The Physician Bar with DJ Vanessa Motion. The drinks reception was sponsored by Moet & Hennessy, Pernod Richard and Kingsbarns.
As part of The Adamson’s ongoing fundraising efforts, £15 from every ticket sold went directly to the renovation fund.
Julie Dalton said: “The tidal pool is such a special part of St Andrews, and we were delighted to host an event that helped push the renovation project forward.
“Thanks to the generosity of our guests and the wider Adamson community, we have raised a total of £8150, which will make a real difference towards the £80,000 target.”
Debbie MacCallum, a trustee of the renovation project, said: “Support from local businesses like The Adamson is vital to keeping this project moving.
“This campaign has grown from a real community spirit, inspired in part by the memory of the late Linda Anne Beaulier, whose passion for wild swimming and this century-old tidal pool continues to drive volunteers and supporters.
“The Burns Ladies Lunch has helped bring us closer to achieving our target to restore the pool so everyone in our community can enjoy it for generations to come.”
To make a donation to The Castle Sands Tidal Pool Renovation Project, visit the fundraising page here.
