Raisin Monday: The Origin of St Andrews Uni Oddest Tradition

Raisin Monday is one of the most distinctive and beloved traditions at the University of St Andrews, the oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1413. Known for its deep-rooted customs, St Andrews offers a university experience like no other, and Raisin Monday stands out as one of the most iconic student events. Held annually in late October, Raisin Monday marks the culmination of "Raisin Weekend," a period of festive bonding, pranks, and playful chaos between new students, or "freshers," and their academic mentors, known as "academic parents."

Raisin Monday forms part of a larger tradition at St Andrews called the "Academic Family" system, which is integral to student life. Each year, senior students adopt one or more first-year students, establishing a mentor-mentee relationship designed to help freshers transition into university life. These senior students become their "academic parents," and freshers become their "academic children." The system, though not officially academic, helps foster a sense of community and belonging, easing new students into their first year by offering advice, guidance, and, during Raisin Weekend, a large dose of fun and silliness.

The name "Raisin" comes from an old tradition dating back to the 19th century, when freshers would give their academic parents a pound of raisins as a token of gratitude for their support. This custom has evolved over time, but the symbolic nature of the gift remains central to the event. Instead of raisins, the modern custom involves freshers presenting their academic parents with a bottle of wine or another token of thanks. In return, the academic parents give their children a "receipt," which, like the raisin gift, has taken on a new form over the years. Today, the receipt is often a ridiculous and oversized object, ranging from a large household item to inflatable animals or even absurd costumes. The receipt must be presented by the freshers on Raisin Monday morning, and failure to do so could result in a humorous "penalty."

The origins of Raisin Monday are steeped in centuries of St Andrews tradition, reflecting the university's status as one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world. The event evolved from earlier rites of initiation, which were once more formal and academic in nature. Over time, these formalities gave way to more playful interactions between older and younger students, leading to the creation of the academic family structure in the 19th century.

The custom of giving raisins as a gift to academic parents first appeared in the mid-1800s. At that time, raisins were considered a luxury item, making them a fitting token of appreciation. The gift represented a symbolic offering from freshers to their parents in gratitude for their mentorship and protection during the early days of university life, which could be quite challenging for newcomers. In return, academic parents would write a humorous "receipt" acknowledging the gift, often filled with exaggerated compliments or mockery.

As the years passed, both the raisin gift and the receipt became more elaborate, contributing to the lighthearted nature of Raisin Monday as we know it today. The formal nature of these exchanges gradually diminished, and by the 20th century, Raisin Monday had evolved into a day of fun and mischief, reflecting the increasingly student-driven nature of the tradition.

The festivities of Raisin Monday are the culmination of Raisin Weekend, which begins on the preceding Saturday or Sunday. During this weekend, academic parents host various events for their academic children. These events can range from formal dinners and tea parties to more outlandish games and parties. The goal of the weekend is for freshers to bond with their academic parents and fellow academic siblings, who are other first-year students adopted by the same academic family.

Raisin Weekend is notorious for the pranks and mischievous activities that academic parents often organize for their children. While many events are lighthearted, such as themed parties or treasure hunts around St Andrews, some academic families take it upon themselves to devise more creative or extravagant challenges for their freshers. These challenges often involve costumes, public dares, or tasks that require teamwork and creativity, allowing freshers to form strong connections with their peers in a memorable way.

The academic family structure provides a social support network for freshers that extends beyond Raisin Weekend. Throughout the academic year, these relationships often continue to thrive, with academic parents acting as mentors and friends, helping their children navigate university life.

The highlight of Raisin Monday is undoubtedly the famous foam fight, which takes place in St Salvator’s Quad. After presenting their outrageous "receipts" to their academic parents on Monday morning, freshers, dressed in bizarre costumes chosen by their parents, gather in the quad for a massive, chaotic foam fight. Each student arms themselves with cans of shaving foam, and at the sound of a bell, the quad is transformed into a frothy battleground.

Hundreds of students participate, and the event is a spectacle for both participants and onlookers. The foam fight is a symbolic end to the weekend’s festivities, serving as a rite of passage for freshers. Covered in foam and laughter, the event embodies the spirit of Raisin Monday—camaraderie, humour, and a celebration of student life at St Andrews.

The foam fight has become so central to the tradition that it attracts attention beyond the university, with images of students engulfed in foam making headlines and circulating on social media each year. However, safety precautions are in place to ensure that the event remains fun and injury-free, with the university overseeing the event to manage crowd control and the use of non-harmful shaving foam.

Raisin Monday has become one of the most anticipated events in the St Andrews calendar. Although the tradition has evolved significantly from its original form, it remains deeply rooted in the values of mentorship, friendship, and fun. For new students, it is a memorable and exciting introduction to life at one of the world’s most prestigious universities, while for older students, it serves as a nostalgic reminder of their own early days at St Andrews.

While the specifics of Raisin Monday may change with each new generation of students, its essence remains the same: a celebration of the bonds formed within the academic family system and an expression of the unique and storied culture that defines St Andrews.