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WHERE: Edinburgh, Scotland
WHEN: 30 April 2024
The Beltane Fire Festival is a traditional event held annually in Calton Hill, in the Scottish town. The popular event is a modern revival of an ancient festival of Scottish and Irish Gaelic origin, held on April 30 to celebrate the arrival of summer. The ceremony takes place in the evening.
During the celebrations it will be possible to see the undressed Celts raising luminous torches, in order to increase the fertility of the soil for humans and the animals that reside there.
Fire is the predominant element; the fire of local wood, food and flowers and the flames which, raised in the sky, have healing powers. In ancient times, even animals were brought into the flames!
The ceremony, as mentioned, takes place in Calton Hill, a hill located in the center of Edinburgh. Here, there are numerous architectural elements of historical and tourist interest which have earned it the mention of a “site of scientific interest” by the Scottish Natural Heritage. Today, Calton Hill is a popular public park.
Photo, 2012 Stefan Schäfer, Lich
The Edinburgh fire festival also represents an excellent opportunity to discover legends and traditions of peoples so distant from us. Today, the fesiival is experiencing more and more success. Beltane Fire Society is a community of artists, founded in 1988, which organizes the event.
PRACTICAL INFO
HOW TO GET
The plane is, without a doubt, the quickest and most comfortable way to reach the city. Edinburgh Airport is only 9 kilometers from the city center, and is Scotland’s largest airport for passenger traffic. Numerous daily flights connect the city with London.
The Airlink 100 shuttle bus connects the airport to Waverley Bridge (near Princes Street and the main train and bus stations.
All the information on Edinburgh, how to get there and how to get around by public transport, are available at this link.
The festival takes place in Calton Hill, not far from the center, and easily accessible on foot.
By public transport, you can use lines 7, 8, 14, 22, 25, getting off at the Leith Street stop: in a few minutes you will arrive at your destination.
THE CEREMONY OF THE BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL
The starting point is the National Monument of Scotland, also known as ACROPOLIS. From here, the procession proceeds counterclockwise along the route, to the rhythm of the drum. At the head, the May Queen and the Green Man, followed, then, by a host of characters linked to them. After a dramatic performance, the two characters set off the spark from which the fire blazes. Then…. dances, songs, and dances will accompany you throughout the night.
TIMETABLES AND PRICES 2024
Tickets to attend the Beltane Fire Festival Edinburgh are available from mid-February.
Tickets can be purchased, in presale until April 29, at the special price of 14£. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased directly on site, costing 20£ for adults. In this case, the main ticket office is located in Castle Hill, Edinburgh. Children up to the age of 16 pay the reduced rate of 8£. Children under the age of 2 enter for free. Prices include taxes and fees.
Disabled people who require accompaniment will receive a free ticket for the accompanying person.
The ceremony begins exactly at 21:00. Entry starts from 8pm. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
*All contents are purely indicative. Before attending the event, please consult the official website.
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