City blazes its way into summer

THE start of summer was heralded by more than 8000 people with a spectacular feast of colour and fire on Calton Hill last night.

The crowds gathered for the 20th Beltane Festival, celebrating the end of dark winter days in a traditional pagan manner.

Red-painted naked dancers, druid spirit guides and massive fire sculptures brought the hill to life at Europe's largest fire festival. About 300 performers took part in the procession around the hill, carrying burning torches aloft and beating drums.

Attendance at the event was down on last year's figure of 12,000 and organisers blamed the drop on the fact this year's festival fell on a Monday night.

Alan Howse, an organiser from the Beltane Fire Society, said: "We didn't expect it to sell out this year as it was on a week night. It's a hugely enjoyable cultural event, and we had people taking part from all over the world."

Crowds began to gather on the hill at sunset, enjoying a spectacular view across the city on an almost clear night.

The festivities began just before 10pm, when giant fire sculptures were lit, representing gods and goddesses, as well as a centaur, a fish and a bolt of lightning.

Torchbearers then led the procession, headed by the May Queen, through a burning gate and around the hill. They used birch twigs to clear a path through the crowds. She was followed by her White Warrior Women - who represent truth, law and order - and druid spirit guides known as Blue Men.

The procession visited four points on the hill, representing the elements of earth, water, fire and air. Dancers and musicians dressed as goblins and nymphs entertained the crowds at each point. The performers then joined the procession, until it was almost 300-strong.

As they completed the circuit, they were ambushed by the mischievous Red Men, who scaled the hill symbolising lust and chaos. They were fought off by the White Women.

The festivities reached a climax when the Green Man, a symbol of the first growth of summer, arrived and was crowned by the May Queen. As they lit a fire, the Red Men and White Women joined in a courtly dance.

The celebration was the culmination of a series of workshops, seminars, and an exhibition over the past fortnight to celebrate its 20th year. It was resurrected in 1988 by a group of enthusiasts, and based on an ancient Celtic festival.

Charlotte Canby, 22, a student from London Street: "It's a really amazing experience. I've never seen anything like it. The dancing and costumes were fantastic."

Benjamin Davenport, 28, a biology teacher from Fountainbridge, said: "This is my first year, and I've really enjoyed it. I love the drumming, and there's a great atmosphere."

Mr Howse said there had been a few changes this year, with lifts being used instead of scaffolding to put up the fire sculptures. A new addition was the "wish women" who invited audiences to tie ribbon wishes to branches, which were then set alight.

He said performers had travelled from Poland, Finland and Israel to take part.

He said: "It's meant to be an enjoyable cultural event. It's based on a Celtic celebration, but anyone can join and take part. It's a very mixed group of people and there's a great sense of community. We have lots of students who like to try it, but there are also people who have done it for many years."

He said that, unlike many cultural events, the £40,000 cost was met entirely through ticket sales and voluntary contributions.

The costs include several thousand pounds to pay the council's cleaning department to tidy up the hill.

The society began charging for tickets in 2004, a year after it had to be cancelled when the council insisted the society take out a public entertainment licence.

The event has attracted controversy in previous years, with local residents complaining about the noise and risk of fire.

There was another dispute last year, when an unpopular ban on alcohol was scrapped at the last minute.