The Rectorial Drag is a unique St Andrews tradition - the Rector accompanied by his Assessor is dragged around the town by the University blues, and I also asked representatives of university societies to join in, so a boisterous procession paraded along North Street, Market Street and South Street, stopping en route in various residences and hostelries to be welcomed by over 50 clubs and societies. There then followed one of the largest torchlit processions from the Quad down along the pier that anyone could remember. I found it a moving sight to stand at the end of pier and watch torches still snaking their way down past the cathedral. Thanks to all for such a brilliant day.

Rectors are expected to enter the Quad in a novel form of transport - my predecessors have arrived on horseback dressed in armour, in vintage sports cars and one even sailed into the harbour. I wanted something which was 'green' and was lucky to find an ancient old ice cream tricycle covered in cob webs owned by the Jannetta of South Street, a St Andrews institution. I thought this was appropriate as my maternal family come from Italy and my grandparents had an ice cream shop in Alloa. The image of me in red apron, flanked by my Assessor Georgina Rannard and Andrew Keenan (Students' Association President) was broadcast by the BBC and carried in national and local press.