St Andrews Students Celebrate Raisin Monday with Foam Fight Tradition

On October 20th, 2025, hundreds of first-year students at the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland took part in the annual Raisin Monday tradition, engaging in a lively shaving foam fight. This centuries-old ritual sees older "parent" students adopt and mentor their younger "child" first-year counterparts, guiding them through various activities and pranks.

Prior to the foam fight, the "children" were expected to dress in embarrassing costumes and provide "raisin receipts" to their "parents", traditionally consisting of strange objects with Latin inscriptions. However, the tradition has evolved, and students now donate items to the local food bank instead.

After the donation, the students gathered on the Lower College lawn for the main event - an enormous shaving cream battle. Third-year students lined the arena, cheering on their "children" who were often dressed in matching costumes to signify their "family" ties. The scene was one of chaos, with foam flying everywhere as the first-years engaged in the messy but bonding experience.

First-year student Amy described the foam fight as "really fun" and a "great bonding experience" with her peers. The annual Raisin Monday celebration continues to be a beloved tradition at the University of St Andrews, allowing new students to connect with their upperclassmen mentors in a unique and lighthearted way.