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Edinburgh's Samhuinn fire festival marks transition to winter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 16:52 · Archive

Around 5,000 people attended Edinburgh's Samhuinn fire festival on Calton Hill on Halloween to celebrate the transition from summer to winter.

Edinburgh's Samhuinn fire festival drew around 5,000 people to Calton Hill on Saturday, 31 October, to celebrate the transition from summer to winter. Described as a modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival, the event takes place on Halloween each year and features fire-play, performance and drumming.

The festival tells the story of the Winter King overthrowing the Summer King, with a dramatic stand-off between the two figures. Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess or Divine Hag, decides the fate of each King and ushers in the coming winter months. This year's festival had the theme 'Walk Beside The Darkness' and explored the courage it takes to embrace change.

The Beltane Fire Society, which organises Samhuinn, has hosted the festival at Calton Hill since 2018, after previously holding it on the Royal Mile. Jenny Bloom, chairwoman of the society, said: "We're delighted to once again welcome Samhuinn to Edinburgh, and thank our wonderful witnesses and volunteers for an incredible night." She added that the society takes wisdom and strength from the Cailleach as it steps into the darker months.

Edinburgh's Samhuinn fire festival marks transition to winter
Image: Edinburgh Live

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In this story: Edinburgh · Samhuinn · Calton Hill · Beltane Fire Society · Jenny Bloom · Cailleach

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