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Beltane Fire Festival marks arrival of summer

ROSS CAMERON The May Queen wearing a white dress walks through a gate surrounded by fire at the start of the Beltane festival.ROSS CAMERON
The May Queen comes to life at the end of the ritual celebrating the arrival of summer

Thousands of people have gathered in Edinburgh to mark the arrival of summer at the annual Beltane Fire Festival.

Revellers flocked to the city's Calton Hill on Wednesday night for the traditional Celtic ritual display celebrating the turning of the seasons.

About 7,000 people were in attendance to see the hill lit up with fire-filled displays soundtracked by thunderous drumming and performers in striking costumes.

The festival has been celebrated in the city on 30 April every year since 1988, but its traditions are thousands of years old.

ANDREW MURRAY A woman leans down in front of a fox lantern.ANDREW MURRAY
Performers including acrobats, drummers, dancers, musicians and puppeteers took part in the striking display
IZZY HENRY A fire performer at the Beltane Fire festival in EdinburghIZZY HENRY
Fire plays an important role in the ritual

Elders known as the "Blues" provide space for the community to tell the traditional stories of the May Queen, and the death and rebirth of the Green Man.

The role of May Queen, a mother goddess figure, is usually held by the performer for several years.

The story dictates the transition from winter to summer, which can only happen when the Green Man, an archetypal figure in folklore all over the UK, dies and is reborn again.

He does so in order to shake off the last vestiges of winter.

DAN B The May Queen wearing all white and white face paint with a large white banner behind her.DAN B
The May Queen is usually a role that lasts several years
CHARLOTTE ML A row of women in white dresses and face paintCHARLOTTE ML
Those taking part in the ritual wear striking costumes during the celebration
IZZY HENRY A woman in blue paint holding a large object with lights attachedIZZY HENRY
Elders known as the "Blues" have been part of the festival for many years

In October, the Samhuinn Fire Festival takes place at Holyrood Park, marking the transition back to the winter months.

Jenny Bloom, chair of the Beltane Fire Society, said: "Another year, another magical Beltane.

"As we roll into summer and carry the May Queen's message of renewal with us, a huge thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses who made it all happen."

ANASTASIA FREEMAN Performers dancing around a fire while holding hands.ANASTASIA FREEMAN
Performers dance around fire to celebrate the arrival of summer
BRAVEN DAVENPORT Performers at the Beltane festival.BRAVEN DAVENPORT
The fire festival marks the arrival of summer
ANASTASIA FREEMAN A general view of Calton Hill in Edinburgh during the Beltane festivalANASTASIA FREEMAN
The festival has been held at Calton Hill in Edinburgh every year since 1988