The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413 and over the last 600 years traditions have become an important mainstay of the St Andrews experience. I had the privilege of attending there to study an MLitt in Legal and Constitutional Studies and was quite active in participating in the centuries old traditions of the university.
Academic Gowns:
The first major tradition is the red gown worn by undergraduates which is to be worn for official ceremonies and while participating on the pier walk. Which year you are in determines how you wear your robe with first years wearing it high on the shoulders and fourth years wearing it off their shoulders. As a postgraduate and member of the St Leonard's society we had the opportunity of wearing our own unique black gown which we wear to chapel services, the pier walk, and the St Leonard's dinner each semester.
Academic Families and Raisin Weekend:
First year students, including first year postgraduates, join what are known as academic families which are headed by an academic mom and dad from the 3rd and 4th years. The purpose of these families is to guide new students through the academic processes and traditions of the university. Families provide new students with plenty of opportunity for socializing and partying, however, it's frowned upon for an academic child to have sex with either parent which is known as the sin of academic incest. The academic family tradition culminates in October with raisin weekend in which students get drunk, play pranks, and have a foam fight on the main quad.
The PH marker:
Some traditions at the university are quite superstitious which famously includes avoiding the PH marker outside the university chapel. The stones mark the site where Patrick Hamilton was burned at the stake in 1528 during the early Reformation in Scotland. University students take great caution to never step on the marker because it is believed that doing so will cause you to fail your courses. However, if a student does step on it they have a chance to wash away their sins in the May Dip.
Kate Kennedy Procession:
On the second Saturday of April the Kate Kennedy society hosts the annually Kate Kennedy procession which honours the history of the community. Two members of the society, both male, are selected to represent the Bishop Kennedy and his niece Kate and lead a procession throughout the main streets followed by students and faculty members dressed up as the colourful characters of the past including martyrs, queens, ministers, and famous golf players.
The Gaudie:
The Gaudie is the penultimate event of the school year which occurs on the night of April 30th in honour of the bravery of John Honey who in 1800 rescued shipwrecked sailors with only a rope tied to his waist. Every year on the 30th students wear their academic gowns and carry torches along the pier to commemorate the event. Students who provide exceptional service to the student community on the basis of outstanding achievement are honoured with the Honey cup which commemorates the bravery of John Honey.
May Dip:
The final main event of the school year is the May Dip which happens on the morning of May 1st. Students typically stay up throughout the night traveling to parties and drinking with mates. Then at the crack of dawn on the morning of the 1st students rush into the North Sea to wash their sins away. Some people, both men and women, do it completely naked especially if they're a fourth year to help guarantee that they're sins will be forgiven. Afterwards people huddle around bonfires to warm up before continuing on with their studying for exams.
There are also quite a few less traditional but still popular events that occur throughout the year including the sinners club night on Wednesdays, bonfires on the East Sands, and many other academic and social events. At St Andrews we were all Saints by day but sinners at night, and enjoyed our close knit student community on the eastern shores of Scotland.
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