Organised by the Beltane Fire Society, hundreds of spectators have enjoyed this year’s Samhuinn Fire Festival in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat in Scotland’s Capital.
The spectacular event celebrates the end of summer and the upcoming winter with fire-play, drumming, and immersive theatrical performances.
The precursor to modern Halloween, with which it shares a date, the festival marks a time when it was thought the boundary between the physical and spirit worlds weakened - allowing the dead to mix with the living.
It tells the story of a battle between the Summer and Winter Kings and Queens (spoiler alert: winter wins).
Here are 16 pictures from this year’s festival.
5. Juggling tasks
At the end of the Celtic ceremony in days gone by each attendee would take home a flame to relight their home hearths. | Getty Images
6. Charge!
A sister event, the Beltane Fire Festival is held each year on Calton Hill to mark the start of summer. | Getty Images
7. Strange creatures
Performers and audience members dressed up in a range of weird and wonderful costumes. | Getty Images
