No social distancing here! St Andrews students take part in Raisin Monday foam fight in Fife as the traditional celebrations return for the first time in two years due to Covid restrictions

 Almost a thousand students gathered at the University of St Andrews to take part in the annual Raisin Monday foam fight today, for the first time in two years due to Covid restrictions.

The rite of passage culminates with new first-year students, known as 'children', dress in flamboyant costumes before they are doused in foam in St Salvator's Quad in the Fife town.

Raisin Weekend began on Sunday with freshers being entertained throughout the day by their academic 'mothers' and 'fathers' - older students who act as mentors to the younger students and welcome them to university life.

The event involves scavenger hunts, parties, fun and games throughout the weekend before the final foam fight on Monday. 

The university says Raisin is about 'celebrating new lifelong friends, and taking part in a tradition that makes St Andrews different' and describes it as one of the 'biggest traditions at St Andrews'. 

The celebrations date far back into the history of the university and is named after the tradition whereby 'children' gave their academic 'parents' a pound of raisins - nowadays it is more likely to be a bottle of wine - to thank them for welcoming them to St Andrews.

On Raisin Monday they are given receipts for their gifts by their academic 'fathers' and costumes to wear from their 'mothers'. The 'children' then descend upon the lawn for the foam fight. 

The university's Raisin Weekend Facebook page issued advice to students ahead of the event advising participants to be safe and adhere to Covid restrictions which included being respectful to those who wishes to maintain social distancing, wearing masks indoors and washing hands frequently. 

Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife for the first time in two years after the event was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions

Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife for the first time in two years after the event was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions

First year students at St Andrews participate in Raisin Monday shaving foam fight on Lower College Lawn eastern Scotland

First year students at St Andrews participate in Raisin Monday shaving foam fight on Lower College Lawn eastern ScotlandThe event was held today for the first time in two years after the Covid pandemic forced students to cancel it last year

The event was held today for the first time in two years after the Covid pandemic forced students to cancel it last year

The historic tradition sees new students gather on the lawn at St Salvator's Lower College and have a shaving foam fight

The historic tradition sees new students gather on the lawn at St Salvator's Lower College and have a shaving foam fight

Pictured: Students pose covered head to toe in shaving foam during Raisin Monday celebrations at St Andrew's College in Fife

Pictured: Students pose covered head to toe in shaving foam during Raisin Monday celebrations at St Andrew's College in Fife

The celebrations date far back into the history of the university and is named after the tradition whereby 'children' gave their academic 'parents' a pound of raisins to thank them for welcoming them to St Andrews. Pictured: Jubilant students take part

The celebrations date far back into the history of the university and is named after the tradition whereby 'children' gave their academic 'parents' a pound of raisins to thank them for welcoming them to St Andrews. Pictured: Jubilant students take part

The tradition sees first year students dress in embarrassing costumes and engage in a shaving foam fight on the uni grounds

The tradition sees first year students dress in embarrassing costumes and engage in a shaving foam fight on the uni grounds

Hundreds of students attended the celebrations which took place today. Pictured: a couple share a kiss during the foam fight

Hundreds of students attended the celebrations which took place today. Pictured: a couple share a kiss during the foam fight

Festivities: Students appear to be dressed as Oompa Loompas during the Raisin Monday foam fight in Fife earlier today

Festivities: Students appear to be dressed as Oompa Loompas during the Raisin Monday foam fight in Fife earlier today

Raisin Weekend began on Sunday with freshers being entertained by their academic 'mothers' and 'fathers', older students who take the younger ones under their wing. Pictured: Freshers students enjoy the festivities at St Andrews University

Raisin Weekend began on Sunday with freshers being entertained by their academic 'mothers' and 'fathers', older students who take the younger ones under their wing. Pictured: Freshers students enjoy the festivities at St Andrews University

Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife
Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife

Pictured: Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn

Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife
Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife

Students don humorous headgear and take part in the historic tradition, getting covered head to toe in shaving foam today

Two students are pictured teaming up to take part in the shaving foam fight, a traditional conclusion to Raisin Weekend

Two students are pictured teaming up to take part in the shaving foam fight, a traditional conclusion to Raisin Weekend

First year students at the University of St Andrews participate in the annual Raisin Monday shaving foam fight on the Lower College Lawn in St Andrews
First year students at the University of St Andrews participate in the annual Raisin Monday shaving foam fight on the Lower College Lawn in St Andrews

Pictured: First year students at the University of St Andrews participate in the annual Raisin Monday shaving foam fight

All smiles: A student grins as he takes part in the annual Raisin Monday foam fight at St Andrews university in Fife, Scotland

All smiles: A student grins as he takes part in the annual Raisin Monday foam fight at St Andrews university in Fife, Scotland

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