Samhuinn lights up Edinburgh

REVELRY AND JOY IN HOLYROOD PARK FOR SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL 

THOUSANDS of revellers gathered at Holyrood Park last night to take part in an ancient Celtic celebration to observe the end of the warmer months, and welcome in the start of the winter season.

Samhuinn Fire Festival is inspired by the Celtic tales of the turning of the wheel. Witness the epic battle between the Summer and Winter Kings unfold as the Cailleach prepares for transition into winter. 

More than 5,000 people gathered at Holyrood Park, in the centre of the city to watch the revelries and welcome in the colder season. We were very grateful for the break in wind and rain that seems to persist over Edinburgh at this time for a moment that we could collectively take to celebrate the turning of the wheel into the winter months. 

Sammi Searle, Chair of Beltane Fire Society, said: “Last night’s Samhuinn Fire Festival was truly spectacular and a hearty welcome to the winter season.

“Our festivals are living, breathing entities that bring together both the community and the landscape and it’s always so inspiring to see how our incredible volunteers come together as the seasons turn to unite us all with their passion and talent.

“Enormous and heartfelt thanks go out to everyone involved who gave it their all and made this night so special, and to our audience who never fail in helping us create such a magical atmosphere. We hope this was truly a night to remember.“ 

The modern Samhuinn Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the autumn and winter counterpart to Beltane Fire Festival, which is held at Calton Hill on 30th April.

The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient Celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons, and the turning of the wheel. 

The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.

PICTURES: Alessandra Fais, Clarissa Gurd, Matt Scott, Beltane Fire Society