Hundreds of first-year students gathered at St Salvator’s Quad at the University of St Andrews on Monday to take part in the traditional Raisin Monday shaving foam fight, a messy ceremony that marks the start of university life.
Students Join for the Memories
Students Daisy, Lilliana, Bee, and Charlotte said they took part in the foam fight “for the memories”.
“It’s so much fun. It’s a huge tradition here. We didn’t want to miss out,” the group said.
Tradition of Mentoring and Fun
Raisin Monday is a tradition where older students adopt first-year students as “children” and help guide them through mentoring. The tradition is intended to help freshers meet new people and settle in.
The mentoring originally started in Raisin Weekend, when “children” were entertained by their “parents” and encouraged to play pranks and silly games. On Raisin Monday, the “children” dressed in flamboyant costumes and were traditionally given “raisin receipts” by their “parents”, usually consisting of strange objects with a traditional Latin inscription.
Evolution of the Tradition
Over time, this tradition has evolved. Students are now encouraged to donate items for the local food bank instead, before being let loose on Lower College lawn for an enormous shaving foam fight.
The unusual tradition is believed to date back to the university’s founding in 1413. On Monday, third-year students lined the foaming arena to cheer on their “children”, often dressed up the same to signify their “family” ties. Students donned costumes from smurfs, to minions, and pigs, and were kept stocked up on shaving foam.
