Exclusive:Edinburgh University ditches John Knox doffing cap graduation tradition
At University of Edinburgh graduations, students are usually tapped on the head by the principal with a cap allegedly made from the breeches of John Knox.
It is a tradition experienced by tens of thousands as they graduate from the University of Edinburgh. But the practice of being doffed with a cap reportedly made from the breeches of John Knox is no more.
Those graduating this year will not take part in the custom which has been shelved “to help ensure the proceedings take place as smoothly as possible”. Instead, the students will be “presented to the hall by Heads of School, with a senior University leader presiding over the ceremony”.
According to legend the Geneva Bonnet - a velvet and silk ceremonial hat has been used for more than 150 years - was made from the trousers of either religious reformer John Knox or his contemporary, scholar George Buchanan. Knox - who led the 16th century Scottish Reformation - remains a controversial figure.
Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain, who graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1998, said she was “sorry to see it go”.
She told The Scotsman: “Historical figures can be both controversial and people of significance.
“I remember my own graduation and being told we were being doffed by John Knox's trousers.
“In my view doffing us a particular tradition marking the transition from graduand to graduate and I'd be sorry to see it go from Edinburgh.”
A source at the University of Edinburgh said: “ What is the point of a graduation ceremony if not as a traditional rite of academic passage? To drop its most ancient and distinctive tradition, for what are at best trivial reasons, is, to put it bluntly, cultural vandalism.”
The Geneva Bonnet was restored in 2000 after the tapping over 100,000 students heads caused it to split.
When the restoration work was carried out the conservators found a label dated 1849 from Edinburgh tailor Henry Banks in the inner lining of the cap.
Although this cast some doubt on the legend of the cap, it is unclear whether it was manufactured or just restored by Banks.
The University of Edinburgh confirmed that doffing with the Geneva Bonnet was not taking place this year.
A spokesperson said: “With graduation season underway, ceremonies in our historic McEwan Hall continue to be joyous occasions for our students, their families and supporters.
“These events mark years of effort and achievement, and our priority is to ensure they remain focussed on celebrating this significant milestone for our graduating students.
“Therefore, arrangements have been made to help ensure the proceedings take place as smoothly as possible. Graduands are presented to the hall by Heads of School, with a senior University leader presiding over the ceremony.”
It comes as students were filmed walking out of the University of Edinburgh’s first graduation ceremonies of the year.
The Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society was demonstrating in a bid to urge the university to stop investing in companies they believe are investing in Israel.
It also comes amid a marking boycott from lecturers at the university in a row over planned cuts.
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