The event brought together 250 artists, making it the biggest celebration of its kind anywhere in the world, the weekend. Volunteers and spectators gathered at the top of the capital Calton Hill to enjoy the festivities in a dramatic cityscape. The event marked the return of Beltane for the first time since 2019 – the annual event has been repeatedly postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Calton Hill was ablaze with flaming torches, fire sculptures and a fire that lit up the National Monument. All the flames were, in a historical Beltane way, lit by the tradition of neid-fire, a sacred flame that started only from friction. Ahead of the celebration, Rosa McKay, who took on the role of the Queen of May and the female figure of the night, said that the return of the celebration and thousands of entertainers felt “joy”. Ms Mackay said: “Beltane is a celebration of the coming of summer and this year we are also seeing this transition from this intense period of isolation. It’s a happy moment. “ This year, the white and earthy costume of the Queen of May was embroidered by hand, symbolizing many themes that affect women today and in history. They represented the “snatching” of reproductive rights and the persecution of women accused of witchcraft throughout Scottish history.
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The Beltane is a dynamic reinterpretation of an ancient Celtic celebration of the return of summer. Photo: Jane Barlow The festival focuses on the story of the Queen of May and the Green Man. Photo: Jane Barlow The lighting of the Beltane fire is central to the event. Photo: Jane Barlow It is a symbol of purification, healing and new life. Photo: Jane Barlow
