Oatmeal Monday: A Nourishing Tradition from Scotland

In the heart-warm corridors of Scotland's ancient universities, a unique tradition known as Meal Monday, or Oatmeal Monday, carved its niche in the academic calendar. Every second Monday of February, this tradition offered a respite to the scholars of yore.

Back in the 17th century, the life of a Scottish university student was marked by simplicity and self-sufficiency. Their lodgings were basic, demanding that each student bring their own fuel, such as firewood or peat, to keep the hearth warm. Their meals were equally humble, with oatmeal being the staple from which they crafted their daily porridge. This simple diet and lifestyle persisted well into the late 1800s. The Rev. James Sharp, reflecting on his days at the University of Edinburgh, remarked that the pursuit of knowledge in arts, sciences, and theology was fueled by oatmeal, with the occasional indulgence in a glass of beer come Saturday night.

Given the considerable distance between the students' rural homes and the urban universities, the institution of an occasional extended weekend became a necessity. This allowed students to journey home and replenish their stores of essentials. Initially, Meal Mondays were a regular occurrence, with the University of Edinburgh marking the first Monday of each month for this purpose. By 1896, this evolved into a singular official holiday set on the second Monday of February.

The observance of Meal Monday persisted through the late 19th and into the 20th century, with universities in Glasgow and Aberdeen also embracing this academic holiday. As recently as three decades ago, Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith recalls Meal Monday being a part of student life, albeit without the actual collection of oatmeal. However, as the 21st century dawned, the official recognition of Meal Monday by universities faded away, with the exception of the University of St. Andrews, which still honors it as a statutory holiday for manual staff.

Meal Monday stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Scotland's academic traditions, a day rooted in the pragmatic needs of students past but remembered for its contribution to the rich tapestry of university life.

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