The Storied Tradition of the May Dip at St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, Scotland's oldest university founded in 1413, boasts a rich tapestry of student traditions that bind generations. Among these, the May Dip stands out as a quintessential rite of passage. Each year on May 1 at dawn, hundreds of undergraduates gather on East Sands beach for the Gaudie procession the night before, followed by a bracing plunge into the North Sea. Legend holds that this ritual washes away academic sins from the previous year, ushering in good fortune for impending exams. The event draws crowds not just from campus but the local community, transforming the public beach into a vibrant scene of torchlit revelry and communal camaraderie.
Rooted in folklore possibly dating back centuries, the May Dip symbolizes renewal and resilience—qualities emblematic of student life. Participants often strip to swimwear or less, embracing the chilly waters amid cheers and laughter. For many, it's a highlight of university experience, fostering a sense of belonging in one of Europe's most prestigious institutions, known for alumni like Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The 2026 Incident: Dawn of Discomfort
On May 1, 2026, as the first light pierced the Fife horizon, the May Dip unfolded much like prior years—until reports emerged of intrusive photography. Freelance and agency photographers, some camping overnight in the dunes from as early as 9pm, deployed long lenses to capture close-ups predominantly of female students in swimwear. These images quickly surfaced in national outlets like the Scotsman, Daily Mail, and The Sun, often framed as lighthearted depictions of the tradition but zeroing in on individual women without their knowledge or permission.
Unlike casual snapshots by attendees, these professional shots were published online and in galleries, attracting objectifying comments that amplified distress. One student recounted spotting a photographer's tent pitched strategically hours before dawn, signaling premeditated positioning. The public nature of East Sands—a coastal path popular with walkers—meant no barriers existed, but the selective focus raised alarms about intent.
Student Voices: From Joy to Violation
Personal accounts paint a picture of shattered expectations. Anna, whose image appeared in the Scotsman's online gallery, described her heartbreak: the photo overshadowed the night's joy, triggering insecurity about her body as strangers dissected her appearance in comments. She successfully requested its removal from one site, but copies proliferated elsewhere, evading full erasure.
Olivia echoed this, decrying the 'disgusting' setup of hidden photographers preying on vulnerability. Alex Chun, president of wellbeing and community at the St Andrews Students' Association, highlighted the pervasive anxiety: students unaware of being photographed face perpetual online exposure, exacerbating mental health strains common among young adults navigating body image pressures.
These testimonies underscore a shift from collective celebration to individual exposure, prompting questions about how traditions evolve amid digital permanence.
University Protocols and Preemptive Warnings
The University of St Andrews has long anticipated such issues. Annually, the proctor emails participants with safety guidance, explicitly noting press presence and the risk of global image dissemination. A spokesperson condemned the sexualisation as a 'wider societal malaise' harming women, while affirming no authority to bar media from the public beach.
The Students' Union website reinforces this, cautioning that 'some [photographers] can be quite aggressive' in pursuing swimwear shots, advising coverage for privacy-conscious attendees. Despite these measures, 2026's events exposed gaps: warnings mitigate but don't eliminate intrusion, fueling debates on proactive event management.
In broader European higher education, universities like those in the UK increasingly integrate consent education into orientation, yet public traditions challenge enforcement.
Media's Defense: Public Interest vs. Ethics
Photographers position their work as documenting a newsworthy cultural event, permissible on public property where no privacy expectation exists under UK law. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) guidelines permit photography in public spaces for those drawing attention, provided no harassment occurs. Newspapers approached for comment cited editorial freedom, though none responded substantively in reports.
Critics argue selective framing—overwhelmingly women in revealing attire—crosses into exploitation, prioritizing clicks over consent. This tension mirrors European media ethics codes, like those from the International Press Institute, urging sensitivity to vulnerable groups such as students.
Societal Backdrop: Objectification and Student Wellbeing
Over 60% of UK adults report negative body image impacts, per parliamentary data, with university-aged women particularly affected. Unauthorized photos immortalize vulnerability, inviting predatory commentary that compounds harassment risks already prevalent on campuses—1 in 5 UK students face sexual misconduct annually, per Union Stats.
In Europe, initiatives like the EU's Digital Services Act aim to curb harmful online content, yet enforcement lags for event imagery. St Andrews' case highlights how traditions intersect with #MeToo-era consent culture, urging universities to prioritise mental health support post-event.
Parallels Across UK and European Campuses
Similar controversies shadow other traditions. Oxford's May Morning sees Magdalen Tower choir draws crowds and cameras, with past complaints of upskirting. Cambridge's May Balls feature strict no-phone policies indoors, but outdoor revelry invites media. In the Netherlands, Leiden's Elfstedentocht-inspired student dips face privacy scrutiny.
These events underscore a pattern: vibrant public rituals versus modern privacy expectations. Scandinavian unis like Lund promote 'consent contracts' for photos at fests, offering models for St Andrews.
Legal Landscape: Balancing Rights in Scotland
Scottish law permits public photography sans consent unless harassment (e.g., repeated pursuit) occurs under the Civic Government Act. Voyeurism laws target private spaces, not beaches. Victims can request takedowns via editors' codes (IPSO), as Anna did, but permanence persists.
Universities lack jurisdiction over public land, prompting calls for designated photo zones or timed media access—practices trialed at Edinburgh festivals.
Photo by moniek van rosse on Unsplash
Stakeholder Perspectives: From Unions to Regulators
The Students' Association advocates enhanced warnings and support hotlines. Media bodies defend newsgathering, but ethicists like those at the Reuters Institute urge gender-balanced coverage. European higher ed networks, via EUA, recommend policy harmonisation for student safety at open events.
Potential solutions include AI image blurring tools or blockchain consent ledgers, piloted at Dutch unis.
Path Forward: Safeguarding Traditions in Modern Times
St Andrews eyes refined communications, perhaps partnering with media for ethical guidelines. Broader European unis could adopt 'privacy by design'—pre-event opt-outs or watermarked images. Training on digital footprint resilience empowers students.
As higher education navigates post-pandemic wellbeing priorities, preserving joy while protecting participants defines progressive leadership. The May Dip endures, but evolved with empathy.
Detailed Guardian coverage offers firsthand insights, while the Students' Union page details official advice.
