Scottish Students Celebrate 'Raisin Monday'

We have all heard of Easter Sunday, but Raisin Monday? While it may not mean much to the rest of us, for students at Scotland's oldest University, it is a day, they look forward to, with much anticipation, every year.

And while it actually involved real raisins when it first started, today it's all about having a fun foam fight - In the name of 'tradition' of course.

The tradition referred to here dates back to the early days of St. Andrews University, Scotland's first University, which opened its doors in 1413. At that time, new students would gift seniors, a pound of raisins, as a way to show their gratitude for helping them adjust to life at the University.

The seniors would acknowledge the gift with a receipt, written in Latin. If they didn't produce a receipt or the receipt had a mistake, they ran the risk of being doused in the University fountain.

Over the years, the tradition has changed slightly - the raisins have been replaced by a bottle of wine - As for the receipt, well it's always incorrect, for who can write in perfect Latin nowadays.

Besides, nobody wants to be left out this revered 'tradition' that takes place every November at the University's St. Salvatore Quadrangle, where flour and eggs are forbidden for fear of damaging the historic buildings - leaving foam, as the approved weapon of choice. Sounds just fine to us!

source:t elegraph.co.uk, luxuryversion.blogspot.com, dailymail,co.uk