Oatmeal Monday 2023 Scotland: Date, History, Fun Facts

Oatmeal Monday, also known as Meal Monday, is commemorated on the second Monday of February, which is February 6 this year. It is observed as a remembrance of ancient Scottish customs. Before the development of quick noodles and delivery services, university students in the 17th century had to prepare their meals with home-brought ingredients. The habit of consuming oatmeal and making meals collectively evolved into the monthly event known as Oatmeal Monday. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the bustling week ahead? Take a break and celebrate Monday Oatmeal with your family and friends.

HISTORY OF OATMEAL MONDAY

The Scottish practise of celebrating Oatmeal Monday dates back to the 17th century. In the earliest days of formal education, Scottish University students were forced to transport their own fuel and food to campus. Without a dining hall or available cooks, students prepared their own meals. Their sustenance primarily consisted of simple and speedy foods such as oatmeal and soup.

As their stockpiles began to deplete after a week or two, the university announced long weekend holidays as a way to replenish their supplies. Mondays after these weekends were known as Oatmeal Monday because students returned to university with new supplies. Every Oatmeal Monday, a gathering was held in an open space to commemorate the safe return of the settlers with the gathered bounty. Early in the eighteenth century, lengthy weekends were commonplace. The universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow observed Oatmeal Monday for the entirety of the 19th century. As food procurement became less cumbersome, the celebration remained mostly centred on students preparing meals together.

Universities in Scotland set aside the first Monday of the month to commemorate the day. This changed in 1896, when the University of Edinburgh designated the second Monday of February as Oatmeal Monday. Once a monthly festival, the event is now observed annually. On the second Monday of February, we express our thankfulness for the availability and accessibility of food while eating a bowl of oatmeal.

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5 FACTS ABOUT SCOTTISH EATING HABITS

• Every week, one-third of Scottish homes experiment with a new recipe or dish.
• Every day, Scots consume slow-cooked, salty porridge.
• Scotland’s national dish is haggis, a sheep filling prepared with onions, stock, sheep offal, and oatmeal.
• Scottish desserts consist primarily of Dundee cake, shortbread, and clootie dumplings.
• Irn-Bru, a locally made carbonated beverage, is the most popular non-alcoholic beverage in Scotland.

OATMEAL MONDAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	February 6	Sunday
2023	February 6	Monday
2024	February 5	Monday
2025	February 3	Monday
2026	February 9	Monday