Edinburgh Today

Beltane Festival

2003 Festival  -  Cancelled

In recent years, a pagan Beltane Fire Festival has been held on Calton Hill on the evening of 30 April, to celebrate the start of summer.  No charge has been made, and the festival has attracted crowds of 15,000.

However, rising costs and problems in reaching agreement with the City Council have caused the 2003 festival to be cancelled.

Edinburgh & Lothian Tourist Board expressed the hope that the festival will be revived in future years.

[Edinburgh Evening News  8 March 2003, p.3]

Other Fires on Calton Hill

Each December, at the start of Edinburgh's New Year celebrations, a torchlight procession is held.  Burning torches are carried from the Royal Mile, down the Mound and along Princes Street and Waterloo Place to Calton Hill.  The procession follows the replica of a long ship, that is burnt on a bonfire at the top of Calton Hill.