Thousands of special copies of one of Scotland’s oldest student newspapers were delivered today ahead of the University of Aberdeen Open Day.
The Gaudie – which was first published in 1934 – will be distributed to prospective students visiting the University on Tuesday, August 28.
The newspaper has a proud history of providing an outlet for students with journalistic aspirations. Simon Israel, Home Affairs correspondent with Channel Four News, and John Knox, BBC Scotland's political reporter are just two of the journalists to have started their careers at the Gaudie.
Now a new, colour edition of the paper, compiling some of the stories that have graced its pages over the last year, has been printed to mark the Open Day, when around 5,000 people are expected to swell the Old Aberdeen campus.
Angela Fraser, Students' Association President, said: "Every Tuesday when the Gaudie reaches the stands you know you have successfully survived another busy week on campus.
"The Open Day special edition is the first time it will ever have been in full colour, and marks an exciting new beginning for the paper. But the best part about the Gaudie isn't that it's the only free weekly student newspaper in the country, but the fact that the newspaper is autonomous from both the University and the Students' Association, so you really can believe all that you read!"
Each week 4,000 copies of Gaudie are printed and distributed all around campus and halls of residence, as well as some of the most popular pubs, venues and shops around Aberdeen City Centre.
The free Open Day edition is one of a host of attractions planned for August 28th. They include top local bands playing in The Hub, drama society students performing one-act plays on campus, open top bus tours of the city and a chance to see the brand new student radio station, ASR, in action.
Lesley Mclennan, the University's Open Day Co-ordinator, said: "The Open Day is always a wonderful affair for anyone who takes the time to come and see what the University and city has to offer.
"The Gaudie has long been an important part of student life and is a great example of one of the extra-curricular outlets for prospective students at Aberdeen. We're delighted that we've been able to put together the special edition, which is a perfect accessory to the rest of the Open Day activities."
Prospective students can log on to www.abdn.ac.uk/openday to register their Open Day place, call 08000 271495 or email href="mailto:openday@abdn.ac.uk">openday@abdn.ac.uk</a>