The Pier Walk
Every Sunday during semester, students in St Andrews have the opportunity to take part in one of the University's most distinctive traditions: the Pier Walk.
Following the Sunday Chapel service at St Salvator's, students put on their red undergraduate gowns and make their way through the town towards the pier. From there, they walk along its length, looking out over the North Sea before returning towards the town.
While there are Pier Walks throughout the year, the walk on the Sunday before Freshers' Week ends in the big one. Hundreds of new and returning students come together in their gowns, making it one of the more recognisable moments of undergraduate life in St Andrews.
Whether you're a first-year wondering what on earth everyone is doing, a returning student bringing your friends along, or just looking for a good excuse to put your gown on, you're welcome to join. You might walk with your flatmates, your academic family, your society, your coursemates, or the people you met five minutes ago.
And because the Pier Walk happens throughout the year, it becomes a little marker of your time here. Your first walk will probably be a slightly chaotic Freshers' Week experience. A year later, you might the person explaining it to someone who has just arrived. Eventually, you'll realise that you've walked the same route dozens of times.
The pier doesn't change; you do.
The Freshers' Week Pier Walk
While Pier Walks take place throughout the academic year, the Pier Walk on the Sunday before teaching begins is the largest and most iconic of them all.
Taking place on the Sunday leading into Freshers' Week, it is your first opportunity to experience one of St Andrews' traditions alongside hundreds of other students.
For many students, this is the moment when St Andrews starts to feel like home.
Editor's Note: I met my entire friend group on the pier walk, and we're still meeting up all these years later!
When is it?
The Freshers' Week Pier Walk takes place on the Sunday before Freshers' Week, following Sunday Chapel, which ends at 12 noon. In 2026, the first pier walk will take place on 6 September.
You don't have to attend the chapel service to participate.
When does it start?
The traditional starting point is St Salvator's Chapel.
You do not need to attend Chapel to join the Pier Walk. If you are meeting friends, simply make your way to St Salvator's once the service has finished.
From there, students walk down along the Scores towards the pier, down to the end, up the ladder, and back across the high narrow top of the pier.
How long does it take?
The walk itself is not particularly long, but the Freshers' Week Pier Walk can be very busy.
Allow roughly 30 minutes for the walk, but it may be significantly longer, particularly for the first walk of the year.
What should I wear?
Your gown, obviously.
The traditional outfit for the Pier Walk is the red undergraduate gown.
You don't need a gown to take part, but if you've got one, this is absolutely the occasion to wear it. Undergraduate gowns are one of the most recognisable symbols of St Andrews student life, and the sight of hundreds of students wearing them down the hillside and along the pier is stunning.
Underneath the gown, however, wear something sensible. The pier is beside the North Sea. It can be cold, windy, and rainy, even if it looks fine in the morning. Also remember to bring/wear shoes you can comfortably walk in.
Pier Walk etiquette
There aren't many rules to the Pier Walk, which is rather the point.
A few things are worth keeping in mind:
Staying Safe
The pier can become very busy, particularly during the Freshers' Week walk.
Watch your footing
The pier can be wet and slippery, particularly in poor weather. Wear appropriate footwear and take your time, particularly on the journey back across the top ledge.
Watch the weather
St Andrews is exposed to the North Sea, so conditions can change quickly. Check the weather before you leave and bring appropriate clothing.
If conditions become unsafe, follow instructions from event organisers, University staff or emergency services.
Stay together
If you're coming with friends, agree where you'll meet before and after the walk.
Large crowds can make it surprisingly easy to lose people, especially when everyone is wearing exactly the same colour.
If someone in your group needs help, stay with them and make sure they get home safely.
If you or someone in your group has a fear of heights, encourage them to skip the top ledge. Should they begin to feel ‘stuck’ on the top ledge, have them look at their feet and the ground in front of them to stabalise their vision. If they need additional assistance, have them place both hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them, lower their head to shield their eyes from the surroundings, and march in time with the person in front of them.
Keep away from the water
There is no reason to climb onto rocks, barriers or other structures around the pier.
Do not enter the water from the pier.
The sea can be cold, rough and unpredictable, even when it looks calm from shore. If you see someone in difficulty in the water, don't put yourself at risk by attempting a rescue. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Freshers' Week Schedule
The exact timings can vary from year to year, so check the Students' Association and University communications for the confirmed arrangements.
1. Get your gown ready
If you have an undergraduate gown, this is the perfect occasion to wear it. Gowns are traditionally worn for the Pier Walk, but you can still take part if you do not have one.
2. Meet at St Salvator’s Quad
The traditional Pier Walk follows the Sunday Chapel service at St Salvator's.
You do not have to attend Chapel to participate in the walk. If you are joining friends afterwards, simply make your way to the meeting point once the service has finished. Keep in mind that the first pier walk will be very busy and a lengthy queue often builds up inside the quad.
3. Join the walk
Students gather around St Salvator's before making their way along the Scores and towards the pier.
There is no ticket, registration, or formal group that you need to join. Just come along, walk with your friends, or use it as an opportunity to meet some new ones.
4. Walk the pier
The procession makes its way along the pier before returning towards the town.
Take your time, enjoy the view and take plenty of photographs. The Freshers' Week Pier Walk can be very busy, so expect to be walking as part of a large crowd.
How long does it take?
The Pier Walk itself is relatively short, although the total time will depend on how busy the walk is and how long you spend with friends.
On a typical Sunday, you should allow yourself up to 30 minutes for the whole experience, but the first pier walk of the academic year can take a few hours to complete.
If you are meeting friends beforehand or going somewhere afterwards, give yourself plenty of extra time.
What should I wear?
The traditional outfit for the Pier Walk is the St Andrews undergraduate red gown.
Gowns are particularly associated with Chapel, the Pier Walk and other University traditions. You do not need to buy one specifically to participate, however, and you should never feel excluded because you do not have a gown.
Wear comfortable clothes underneath your gown and, importantly, dress for the weather.
St Andrews can be cold, windy and wet even when the forecast looks promising. The walk takes place beside the North Sea, so bring a warm layer and suitable footwear.
Remember: this is Scotland, and the weather can change quickly!
Walking safely
The Pier Walk is a relaxed tradition, but it involves a large number of people moving through the town and along a narrow pier.
A few simple precautions will make the experience much more enjoyable.
Stay with your friends
If you are attending with friends, agree on where you will meet before the walk begins and where you will go afterwards.
It is easy to become separated in a large crowd, particularly during the Freshers' Week walk.
If someone in your group needs help, stay with them and make sure they get back safely.
Take care on the pier
The pier can be windy and the surface may be wet or slippery.
Stay on the walkway and do not climb over barriers or onto the rocks. Never enter the water from the pier.
Keep an eye on the people around you, particularly when the pier is crowded.
Be sensible around the sea
The North Sea is cold and conditions can change quickly.
The Pier Walk is not a swimming tradition. You should not enter the water from the pier, even if other people are doing so.
If you see someone in difficulty in the water, do not put yourself at risk by attempting a rescue. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Look after your belongings
A large crowd is not the best place to carry lots of valuables.
Bring only what you need and keep your phone, wallet and other valuables secure. If you are taking photographs, make sure you have a secure grip on your phone — particularly when standing near the sea!
Why the pier?
The Pier Walk is closely connected to one of St Andrews' most famous stories: the rescue of the crew of the Janet of Macduff by student John Honey.
In January 1800, the Janet of Macduff ran aground off the East Sands. With no lifeboat available, Honey tied a rope around himself and repeatedly swam out to the stricken vessel, bringing members of its crew back to shore.
His bravery became an enduring part of University tradition.