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.
9. Strike a pose
The Samhuinn Fire Festival originally took place on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, but moved to Calton Hill in 2018, and now takes place in Holyrood Park. | Getty Images
10. The greatest show in Edinburgh
The event features a mixture of fire-dancing, drums, acrobatics, and immersive theatre performances. | Getty Images
11. Telling a story
The festival tells the story of the overthrowing of Summer by Winter, with a dramatic stand-off between the Summer and Winter Kings and Queens. | Getty Images
12. In the hands of the Gods
The procession is overseen by Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess, or Divine Hag, who ultimately decides each King’s fate and ushers in the looming, colder months. | Getty Images