New warning over postexam beach parties

St Andrews University students have been warned to stop using beaches for post-exam parties – or face the prospect of disciplinary action.

The Courier revealed this week how others’ enjoyment of the Fife town has been marred by the actions of people – largely believed to be students celebrating the end of semester, but not exclusively – leaving piles of litter and debris behind them.

The mess left behind by students taking part in ‘ducking’ or ‘dunking’ – which sees those in their final year covered with flour, beans, glitter, eggs and alcohol before taking a quick dip in the sea to wash the material off – prompted Fife Coast and Countryside Trust to write to the university.

In turn, Professor Lorna Milne, proctor and vice-principal of the university, emailed all students to remind them of their responsibilities and urged them to clean up.

However, signs have been erected by the university’s estates team at Castle Sands calling on students not to use the beach for post-exam celebrations at all – or face serious consequences.

The university has assisted with the clean-up operation this week after broken glass, rubbish, cans, plastic and even a tent was left on the beach following bonfires, and it is hoped the latest warnings will deter people from marking the end of semester inappropriately in the sunny conditions forecast.

St Andrews University students have been warned.