St Andrews will come to a virtual standstill next Friday for the visit by Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton.
With thousands hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, roads throughout much of the town will be closed.
William and Kate met at St Andrews University and many local residents feel a special affinity with the future king and his bride-to-be.
Dozens of coaches and hundreds of cars are expected to roll into the town ahead of the visit.
Fife Constabulary said a “significant” number of people, both local and from further afield, will inevitably want to see the couple during what is their only visit to Scotland ahead of the royal wedding on April 29.
Visitors travelling by car to the event will be directed to the West Sands car park. Further parking, exclusively for blue badge holders, will be provided near the town centre at Murray Park, while tour coaches will be directed to Old Guardbridge Road.
Police have also confirmed that roads surrounding the university will have restricted access for 24 hours from 5pm on Thursday.
The full length of North Street, The Scores, East Scores, Murray Park, Murray Place, part of Market Street, Union Street, South Castle Street and North Castle Street will be closed to all traffic and no parking will be permitted.
Alternative parking for residents and hotel guests will be available at Petheram Bridge car park, Bruce Embankment car park or the West Sands.
Fife Constabulary’s deputy head of road policing Inspector Brenda Sinclair said, “These restrictions are necessary in order to provide a safe, traffic-free environment in which spectators will have the opportunity to see the royal couple on North Street.
“While precise timings of the visit will not be available until a later date, I would urge anyone intending to visit the town to arrive in plenty of time, bearing in mind there is a 10 to 15-minute walk from the West Sands car park to North Street.
“I would also appeal to all drivers to follow signs on the approaches to the town.”
With events like the Open Championship regularly drawing huge crowds to St Andrews, it is hoped the town will be well placed to cope with next week’s influx. Nevertheless, Inspector Sinclair is aware there is no room for complacency.
“St Andrews is well used to large influxes of people but it is vital that we get the co-operation of the public to make the day as pleasant as possible with minimal inconvenience for everyone, whether they be local residents, traders or visitors.
“Barriers will be in place and officers will direct spectators to those areas provided for public viewing.”
Fife Council’s head of transport services Dr Bob McLellan said road closures were unavoidable.
“To allow the event to run smoothly and to ensure public safety and security, it is vital that these essential traffic management arrangements are observed,” he said. “This should help keep delays and disruption to a minimum and add to the enjoyment of the day.”