Mention 'St Andrews' and the immediate association is the putt, putt, putting of little white balls and the satisfying rattle as they drop into neat little holes across some of the world’s most famous golf courses. But ‘the home of golf’ is fast becoming a popular destination for an altogether different sport – and that’s surfing!

Pictured above: Scottish surfer, Scott Mitchell at St Andrews Holiday Park heading towards East Sands

Regulars to the university town will no doubt have seen a growing number of surfers bobbing to and fro in the waves at East Sands. Even on the coldest and windiest Scottish days these hardy souls can be seen donning wetsuits and making the most of the swell, often spending hours with minimum daylight searching for that one wave of the day and only getting out of the water for a warming brew and a stretch.

It’s all about the escapism,” says Scott Mitchell ‘Mitch’ aka Scottish_Surfer. “That feeling of bliss when you catch the one wave you’ve waited for all day, the wave you know will be your best wave of the day, sometimes you know you won’t get a better one but the search will always continue.”

Being a soldier for over 19 years Mitch, 38, is perhaps hardier to the Scottish elements than most and it was during his army career that he first had the opportunity to try out surfing. Three years later and Mitch was a qualified surf coach having competed for the army surf team and often coaching in the Newquay Surf School’s too. More recently, Mitch’s passion for the sport has taken him around the world including France, Portugal and The Falkland Islands where the highlight was surfing alongside three Commerson’s dolphins. He is Team Rider for Fourth Surfboards, a brand ambassador for the outdoor and sustainable clothes brand Passenger Clothing aswell as, Solite (Wetsuit) Boots, Weret Surf Watch, House of Marley and SurfMould Pro.

“Surfing in Scotland is pretty special and unique, but it’s not for everyone," says Mitch. "Extreme cold water, limited daylight, hundreds of hours wasted driving to spots that should be firing only to leave you disappointed, forcing you to head home can be frustrating."

“But it’s not all doom and gloom, gear-up in the right kit and equipment and soon you’ll forget about the elements, your focus becomes where is the best peak, where should I sit, how should I paddle out?