A EVENING OF REVELRY AND JOY ON HOLYROOD PARK FOR SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL 2024
Last night, revellers of over 6000 gathered at Holyrood Park to take part in the annual Samhuinn Fire Festival, produced by Beltane Fire Society.
As part of an ancient Celtic tradition, the end of the warmer months were observed, and the winter season was welcomed, inspired by the Celtic tales of the turning of the wheel.
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!”
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: Crow Mackie, Dan Boyce, Daniel Cass Senior and Braven Davenport.
Scotland’s iconic night time fundraising event, The MoonWalk Scotland, lit up the streets of Edinburgh last night(Saturday 7th September).
Hundreds of women, men and young people wearing brightly decorated bras or colourful “bra t-shirts” set off from Holyrood Park at 11pm, to walk a half or full marathon through the capital, to raise money for breast and other cancers.
Glittering light installations showed MoonWalkers the way, with iconic buildings across the Edinburgh skyline also lit up pink in their honour, including: Camera Obscura, Lloyds on the Mound, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Radisson Blu Hotel and the Stamp Office.
Dozens of walkers also took on a walking challenge virtually, in their own areas.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Scotland’s MoonWalk has raised an incredible £22 million since the event was first staged in 2006.
Funds awarded by Walk the Walk make a huge difference to people across Scotland living with cancer – recent grants have been made to the Beatson Cancer Charity, Ayrshire Cancer Support and Make 2nds Count.
To register your interest for The MoonWalk Scotland 2025 go to:
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
On Tuesday 31st October, the Beltane Fire Society will host its annual Samhuinn Fire Festival.
On the 31st October, the Beltane Fire Society will bring back its renowned Samhuinn Fire Festival to Holyrood Park in Edinburgh. After an abundant celebration of summer at our Beltane Fire Festival, we are delighted to invite all to bring in the winter with us.
Samhuinn is a modern twist on an ancient Celtic celebration which marks the turning of the wheel into the new season. Its one of the European ancestors to modern day Halloween and All Saints Day festivities.
Chair of Beltane Fire Society, Sammi Searle said: ““We are excited to announce The Beltane Fire Society’s Samhuinn Festival for 2023, set against the magnificent landscape of Holyrood Park.
“Our Samhuinn is a modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival, marking the culmination of summer’s harvests and the birth of winter. This year is set to be an atmospheric spectacle exploring themes of death, rebirth and the magic that awaits in the dark Scottish nights.
“We are incredibly grateful to our creative and dedicated volunteers and collaborators who are spending these autumn days preparing and constructing the truly impressive array of characters, structures and performances you will encounter on the night.
“This is a community-created event like no other, where you will find otherworldly creatures, elemental forces, drumming and of course, fire, all overseen by the powerful Celtic crone goddess, The Cailleach. We can’t wait to see you there!”
Samhuinn brings together a host of volunteer performers with fire-play, drumming, and wild costumes to Holyrood Park, marking the transition of Summer into Winter. Audiences will witness a cavalcade of characters representing Summer and Winter. The characters will coalesce around a stage where the mysterious figure of the Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the goddess, or Divine Hag, will usher in the colder months.
The Beltane Fire Society is a registered Scottish charity run by volunteers and a staple of Edinburgh’s cultural scene, dedicated to keeping the ancient Celtic calendar alive and sharing skills of street theatre, costume-making, folklore, music and immersive performance.
The Samhuinn Fire Festival has been held in Edinburgh since 1995. Its Summer counterpart, Beltane, takes place on Calton Hill on the last day of April each year, and has been running since 1988. The festival celebrates one of the four Celtic quarter day festivals and marks the end of Summer and beginning of Winter.
Join us this Samhuinn night to celebrate the turning of the wheel and revel in the start of the winter season!
A 29-year-old man from Yorkshire has been found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife in Edinburgh in September, 2021.
Kashif Anwar (below) was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Thursday, 6 April, 2023) of murdering 31-year-old Fawziyah Javed at Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park on Thursday, 2 September, 2021.
He will serve a minimum of 20 years.
Detective Inspector Bob Williamson, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult and traumatic time for Fawziyah’s family who are understandably devastated by her death.
“Fawziyah was much loved and had her life ahead of her with a new baby on the way. This was all cruelly taken from her and her unborn child at the hands of her own husband – someone who should have loved and protected her. Anwar’s actions were incomprehensible and as an investigation team, we welcome today’s verdict.
“I sincerely hope that the fact that he has now been found guilty will afford Fawziyah’s family and friends some sense of justice.”
Raise money for those living with breast and other cancers
On Saturday 9th September 2023, thousands of women and men will set off from Holyrood Park in Edinburgh to walk an overnight half or full marathon through the streets of the capital.
Walkers will be uniting to raise much needed awareness and money, which is granted towards research, prevention and supporting those living with cancer in Scotland.
Walkers can pick any theme from previous years to decorate their bra and add a sprinkle of silver.
Organised by breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk Scotland will be the final event in the charity’s trilogy of MoonWalks in 2023, following The MoonWalk London, at Clapham Common on Saturday 20th May and The MoonWalk Iceland, at Lake Myvatn on Tuesday 13th June.
For all the events, Walkers can choose between half and full marathons, as well as a virtual option to take on the MoonWalk in their local area.
Those looking to experience Scotland and London can enter both and receive a special 10% discount on entry.
For the ultimate challenge take on the 3 Land Challenge and do all three MoonWalks!
Money raised by Walk the Walk through its MoonWalks is granted to help other charities and organisations across Scotland and the UK in their united aims.
The one and only iconic, original night-time walk – The MoonWalk London – was created in 1998 by Nina Barough CBE and celebrates 25 years of MoonWalking.
MoonWalks in Scotland (2006) and Iceland (2011) followed. All three MoonWalks are organised by the cancer charity Walk the Walk, founded by Nina.
On Halloween eve, the Beltane Fire Society (BFS) welcomed a sold-out audience to Holyrood Park as its Beltane counter-season festival, the Samhuinn Fire Festival, unfolded on stage at full blaze.
The performances featured large amounts of fire, acrobatics, epic duels between Summer and Winter, and a variety of eccentric, strange character costumes that included a full-winged fire display by our Summer King, Hannah Smith.
Our 2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival would not have been possible without our 200+ volunteers who helped us share a safe and spectacular fire-focused event with the Edinburgh community.
Thank you to all for helping the Society ring in the Celtic new year and honour the new season before us. Happy Samhuinn!
The Beltane Fire Society (BFS) will host its renowned Autumnal celebration in Holyrood Park, bringing more fire, acrobatic stage performances and mystical creatures than ever before …
Starting at 7pm on Halloween Eve, the 2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival will brighten thousands of colourful faces in Holyrood Park with its immersive fire-play performance and ancient Celtic storytelling around Summer’s transition into Winter.
Audience registration is through Citizen Ticket, with full details revealed at check out.
● Visit www.Beltane.org for festival information and updates. High-quality photos are available of past festivals on request.
“The society is excited to be continuing these traditions in Edinburgh, this time on and under Hagg’s Knowe in Holyrood Park,” said 2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival Event Coordinator Tom Watton.
“As our events happen alongside an audience in collective celebration of the changing seasons, we welcome as many people as possible to come in fire-safe guises on this coming Samhuinn night.”
Samhuinn involves 200+ volunteers performing in wild costumes with captivating fire-play, acrobatics and drumming.
This year, the finale will be performed on a raised stage, meaning many more people will witness the festival’s key moments including the fierce duel between our Summer King and Winter King, and the unveiling of the Cailleach.
ABOUT BELTANE FIRE SOCIETY
The Beltane Fire Society is a registered Scottish charity run by volunteers, dedicated to keeping the ancient Celtic calendar alive and sharing skills of street theatre, costume-making, folklore, music and immersive performance. The charity relies on donations from their live events, and there is a suggested £5 donation to attend – or whatever you can afford.
The Samhuinn Fire Festival has been held in Edinburgh since 1995. Its Summer counterpart, Beltane, takes place on Calton Hill on the last day of April each year, and has been running since 1988. The festival celebrates one of the four Celtic quarter day festivals and marks the end of Summer and beginning of Winter.
2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival to take place in Holyrood Park
Large fire stages and a dramatic Arthur’s Seat descent ensures that all attending will have a good experience witnessing Summer’s mystical transition into Winter.
News Facts
● Beltane Fire Society hosting our 2022 Samhuinn Fire Festival in Holyrood Park
● Festival takes place at 19:00 on the evening of Monday 31st October 2022.
● Samhuinn is a unique re-imagining of an ancient festival, celebrating the turn of the seasons and its Celtic New Year.
● A procession of fire, drums and costumed volunteers will make way to the heart of Holyrood Park where characters from ancient lore enact the end of summer and the rise of winter.
● Register for festival with Citizen Ticket, suggested donation £5.00.
● YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMiXgZlYz4eTkbL2fAeM80Q We welcome the press to attend and photograph the festival. We will hold a short briefing on the day of Samhuinn at 18:00. Please email comms@beltane.orgif interested in receiving more details.
The funeral service for Her Majesty The Queen will be broadcast live on a big screen in Holyrood Park in front of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The ceremony, which is taking place at Westminster Abbey in London, is scheduled to begin at 11:00am on Monday 19 September.
The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting residents and visitors to attend and pay their final respects to Her Majesty. Entry is free and un-ticketed.
The screening will be of the BBC’s full coverage from 8:00am until 5:00pm.
Lord Lieutenant Cllr Robert Aldridge (below) will be representing the City of Edinburgh at the state funeral.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “This screening represents an opportunity for us all to come together and pay our final respects to The Queen. We all share in the nation’s, and indeed the world’s, grief at the loss of our longest serving monarch. As Her Majesty’s funeral takes place in London, we’re proud to be joining in with screenings and services in towns and cities across the United Kingdom.
“I can think of no more fitting venue for Monday’s screening – in The Queen’s own park on the doorstep of her beloved Palace of Holyroodhouse – and I hope people of all ages will take this opportunity to say their final farewell to Her Majesty.
“Here in Edinburgh, we can take immense pride in the role our city played in the ceremonial events to mark The Queen’s passing and I want to thank the many Council colleagues, partners and volunteers, who each played such a big part in delivering them so gracefully and flawlessly. And to the people of Edinburgh for turning out in their thousands to pay their respects.
“I have no doubt these past few days will be remembered for how brightly Scotland’s capital shone as an example of respect, pride, and professionalism to the world.”
The screening will take place outdoors, so we are advising those wishing to attend to plan ahead, dress for the weather, and bring plenty of water.
Toilet facilities will be available however there will be no seats, so we advise bringing blankets or chairs.
Extra litter bins will be in place and BBQs will not be permitted.
Please note that Queen’s Drive will be closed to general traffic. Disabled parking will be available in Broad Pavement car park on a first come, first served basis.
The travelling public should follow Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams to stay informed about their services on the day of the funeral.
From Girl Power … to Power Walking! As the internationally renowned Spice Girls finished ‘zig-a-zig-ah-ing’ their fans in Edinburgh on Saturday night, another extravaganza was hitting the streets of the Capital – The MoonWalk Scotland! Continue reading From Girl Power to Power Walking: MoonWalk Scotland 2019
