Samhuinn Fire Parade took place in Edinburgh on Thursday night organised by Beltane Fire Society in Holyrood Park.
This is Edinburgh’s annual Halloween celebration which brings the Celtic New Year to a modern audience.
The event is hosted by the Beltane Fire Society and is one of the city’s winter festivals featuring otherworldly creatures and a fiery display of storytelling.
The performance is brought to life by fire dancing, acrobatics, wild drumming and vibrant costumes. Volunteer performers ultimately decide the ‘fate’ of each king or queen in the festival.
The epic battle between the Summer and Winter Queens unfolded as The Cailleach prepared for the transition into winter. The festival took place at Holyrood Park in the centre of the city to watch the festivities, and brought together communities to welcome in the colder months. Despite the ever-growing wind, the flames still burned and set the park alight.
Jenny Bloom, Chair of Beltane Fire Society, said: “For thousands of witnesses, and our community of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, last night’s Samhuinn Fire Festival joyfully marked the change of the seasons. It’s never easy to say goodbye to the summer – but what better way to welcome the Scottish Winter than a night of crashing drums and clashing swords!”
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