Hamish McHamish

St Andrews is home to a nomadic ginger cat named Hamish McHamish. He wanders about the town at his own leisure, and has become something of the town mascot. He's become quite the staple on South Street and in his honor a statue was erected this year in his honor. 

Revision Week Study Break

Classes ended a week and a half ago, and the last two weeks are designed for students here at St Andrews to curl into the fetal position and cry, or study, I'm not sure which as I've seen a great deal of both. Either way, panic and despair are in the air! Naturally, to combat tiresome hours of pouring over notes and books again and again, we took the day off and headed for some fresh air. 

A view of St Andrews from the Fife Coastal Path

Yesterday was supposed to be absolutely miserable out, but that didn't stop us from meandering down the Fife Coastal Path in the light rain. But when we got to the "Secret Beach" the skies opened up and the sunshine streamed down and the afternoon was delightful. 

Perched on one of the more climbable rocks with my friend Jack

Hanging out with a number of guys usually ensures that some sort of organized stupidity ensues and yesterday was no different. The boys decided they would climb up the face of a rock which they have christened "Janky Rock."

Hunter led Jack and David up the face of "Janky Rock"

Being of the fairer (and far more intelligent) sex, I opted to keep both feet on the ground at the ready to document this silly behavior (or dial 999 in case of an emergency). Luckily they made it to the top of the rock with little injury.

Smiles all around

Later on in the afternoon we were joined by more friends that came to enjoy the beautiful weather and fresh air away from the library. Some even opted for a dip in the North Sea. With only a few short weeks left in Scotland, it was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Hunter climbed "Janky Rock" no less than four times yesterday

May Dip

May Dip is a tradition at St Andrews that honors John Honey who was a student in 1800 when a small ship the Janet of Macduff ran aground east of the harbor. Heroically, he stripped off his clothes and stormed into the sea and saved the lives of five of the men trapped aboard. Now, we stay up until dawn at various parties and run into the sea at dawn. 

The seen this morning at dawn

May Dip cleanses students of their academic sins. Sins that can be washed a way by a dip in the North Sea at dawn, include academic incest or stepping on the PH stone. Traditionally in the fall semester, third year students become academic parents to new first years and serve as mentors and friends, sometimes romantic relationships ensue and to atone for their sins academic parents and academic children partake in May Dip. 

The PH stone outside St Salvators Chapel

The PH stone, refers to stones outside of St Salvators Chapel, where Protestant Reformer Patrick Hamilton was martyred in 1528. Stepping on the stone is terribly unlucky and you will often see people jumping out of the way to avoid it. Legend has it if you step on the stone you'll fail your degree. So the superstitious, too, take to the sea to ensure the exams they are about to sit will be curse-free.

Despite the rainy weather and the blistering winds hundreds of students still managed to stay up the entire night to make it into the sea this morning. The temperature in the water was around 40ºF and the temperature outside was somewhere in the 30s. But with a little bit of liquid courage, anything is possible. And it doesn't hurt when you can no longer feel your hands and toes!

Bundled up after taking a dip in the North Sea