University of St Andrews

External Relations - History of the University: "Women students were first able to matriculate into the University in 1892. St Andrews has a tradition of academic families in which third or fourth year students 'adopt' first years in the early weeks of the Martinmas (autumn) semester. In late October or November during Raisin Weekend academic 'children' visit their 'parents' for Sunday tea, bearing a bottle a wine (formerly a pound of raisins) as a gift. In return they receive a Raisin receipt in Latin, which may be written on anything - from a scroll to the side of a canoe! Next day the first years are paraded through the town in fancy dress, usually in items completely unsuitable for the time of year, assembling in St Salvator's Quad at 11am. "