Beltane Fire Festival Marks Arrival Of Summer In Edinburgh

ROSS CAMERON The May Queen wearing a white dress walks through a gate surrounded by fire at the start of the Beltane festival. — The May Queen comes to life at the end of the ritual celebrating the arrival of summer

Thousands of people have gathered in Edinburgh to mark the arrival of summer at the annual Beltane Fire Festival.

Revellers flocked to the city’s Calton Hill on Wednesday night for the traditional Celtic ritual display celebrating the turning of the seasons.

About 7,000 people were in attendance to see the hill lit up with fire-filled displays soundtracked by thunderous drumming and performers in striking costumes.

The festival has been celebrated in the city on 30 April every year since 1988, but its traditions are thousands of years old.

Performers including acrobats, drummers, dancers, musicians and puppeteers took part in the striking display

ANDREW MURRAY A woman leans down in front of a fox lantern. — Performers including acrobats, drummers, dancers, musicians and puppeteers took part in the striking display

Fire plays an important role in the ritual

IZZY HENRY A fire performer at the Beltane Fire festival in Edinburgh — Fire plays an important role in the ritual

Elders known as the “Blues” provide space for the community to tell the traditional stories of the May Queen, and the death and rebirth of the Green Man.

The role of May Queen, a mother goddess figure, is usually held by the performer for several years.

The story dictates the transition from winter to summer, which can only happen when the Green Man, an archetypal figure in folklore all over the UK, dies and is reborn again.

He does so in order to shake off the last vestiges of winter.

The May Queen is usually a role that lasts several years

DAN B The May Queen wearing all white and white face paint with a large white banner behind her. — The May Queen is usually a role that lasts several years

Those taking part in the ritual wear striking costumes during the celebration

CHARLOTTE ML A row of women in white dresses and face paint — Those taking part in the ritual wear striking costumes during the celebration

Elders known as the “Blues” have been part of the festival for many years

IZZY HENRY A woman in blue paint holding a large object with lights attached — Elders known as the “Blues” have been part of the festival for many years

In October, the Samhuinn Fire Festival takes place at Holyrood Park, marking the transition back to the winter months.

Jenny Bloom, chair of the Beltane Fire Society, said: “Another year, another magical Beltane.

“As we roll into summer and carry the May Queen’s message of renewal with us, a huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses who made it all happen.”