One of Scotland’s best and most popular beaches may at last boast a hub and upgraded facilities for the many thousands of visitors who descend on it each year.
It is hoped lottery funding will boost plans being floated for a visitor centre at St Andrews’ West Sands.
The golden sands which run alongside the Old Course feature in the opening scenes of the 1981 Oscar-winning film Chariots of Fire.
Although the Seaside Award beach, flanked by internationally important dunes and part of a special conservation area, is a magnet for sun seekers, nature lovers, water sports enthusiasts and walkers, it has few visitor facilities.
It lost its coveted Blue Flag due to a drop in water quality in 2012 and has failed to win back the European standard.
However, a major restoration is being undertaken of the dunes, which have suffered from coastal erosion, and it is hoped a new visitor centre will provide a further boost for the attraction.
Fife Coast and Countryside Trust is seeking cash from the Coastal Communities Fund, which has expressed interest in the project.
Although it is yet to be decided what the centre would offer, it is expected it may be used to educate people about the sands’ wildlife, geology and history as well as providing other services.
The proposal is at a very early stage but consultation with residents is to begin next week with a presentation to St Andrews Community Council on Monday.
Trust chief executive Amanda McFarlane said: “We would like to talk to the council to explain a little about the concept and to gain a clear understanding of the community’s views.
“We have been invited to apply for funding from the Coastal Communities Fund so we need to involve local people, even at this very early stage. If the application goes ahead we will, of course, consult with the community in order to get clear feedback and input from the people of the town.”
Patrick Laughlin, manager the St Andrews Partnership charity which aims to improve the town for residents, workers, students and visitors, criticised existing facilities at the beach.
He said: “Last summer when the weather was good for long periods of time the beach was visited by many thousands of people but things like the toilets, car parking and signage are pretty primitive.
“West Sands is such an important beach not just for St Andrews but for the whole of Fife.
“It’s probably one of the best beaches in Britain but the standard of visitor facilities is not what would be expected for such a well-known beach.
“If there is a new visitor and education centre incorporating some upgraded visitor infrastructure we would be very pleased to see it.
“It is encouraging that Fife Coast and Countryside Trust is now consulting on this and we look forward to hearing more about it in the next few weeks.”
The idea of a visitor centre for the beach has been around for some time but a previous attempt to bring it to fruition failed due to lack of money.
Mr Laughlin said: “It is possible that the Coastal Communities Fund might just be the key to making this happen.”