Fire festival marking transition to winter takes place on Halloween

Crowds gathered for the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh on Halloween.Described as a “modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival”, organisers said it marks the transition from summer to winter.The event on Calton Hill featured “fire-play”, performance and drumming.The festival featured an array of characters (Jane Barlow/PA)PA WireOrganisers said it tells the story of winter overthrowing summer, with a “dramatic stand-off” between the Summer and Winter Kings.Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess, or Divine Hag, decides the fate of each King and ushers in the coming winter months.The festival was held at Calton Hill for the first time in 2018 after previously taking place on the Royal Mile.Crowds gathered to watch the festival (Jane Barlow/PA)PA WireThis year’s festival had the theme Walk Beside The Darkness and explored the courage it takes to embrace change.Jenny Bloom, chairwoman of organisers the Beltane Fire Society, said: “We’re delighted to once again welcome Samhuinn to Edinburgh, and thank our wonderful witnesses and volunteers for an incredible night.“Though the current climate crisis continues to be of deep concern to ourselves and the natural world, we take the wisdom and strength of the Cailleach as we step into the darker months, and come together as a community.“We look forward to meeting again at Beltane.”