Demons, dancing and drums fill Capital for Celtic New Year

Published on Saturday 1 November 2008 10:31

IT'S certainly not your usual Friday night out in the Capital.

But last night demons, dancing and drums filled the Royal Mile as thousands flocked to enjoy the spectacle of the Samhuinn Festival.

The event marks the Celtic New Year, the death of summer and the approach of winter. But despite its associations with the onset of darkness and doom, there was no shortage of fun and festivity on the streets.

The pageant began at the entrance to the Castle Esplanade, where the King of Summer stepped out to drink a boozy toast, little knowing it would be his last.

Accompanied by scantily-clad dancers in summery reds and oranges, he set off down the Royal Mile, unaware that he was being followed by a host of ghouls and demons, who pursued him to Parliament Square.

He was met by the King of Winter for the reenactment of the Goloshan Play, in which the two do battle and Summer is finally vanquished.

The festival is believed to be based on pagan celebrations which predate the Celtic culture. As well as the passing of seasons, it marks the night of the dead, when spirits of the departed pay their last visit to earth.

Crowds lining the route entered into the spirit of the event, with many arriving sporting Halloween fancy dress.

The night is organised by the Beltane Fire Society, who also hold celebrations on Calton Hill to mark the arrival of spring.

The organisation's Newton Harper said: "We're pleased that so many people turned up and enjoyed the free event and that they showed interest in the revival of an old Celtic festival that involves the whole community. We're really happy to be able to keep putting it on free and in order to do that we need the Beltane Festival, which is ticketed, to continue to be well-supported."

For around a hundred performers it was the culmination of 10 weeks of rehearsals.

Their efforts were appreciated by the crowds. Stuart Gray, 26, a box office assistant who had travelled from Glasgow especially to see the event, said: "I think it's really good. I've been for the last three years. I'm actually a pagan, so it's quite a good thing for us all. It's absolutely amazing seeing everybody out supporting it."

For George Morton, 26, who has just moved to the Capital, it was a fine spectacle to welcome him to his new home.

The Liberal Democrat constituency organiser, who lives in Mayfield, said: "With all the old buildings it creates a really good atmosphere. I doubt there's anything better than this happening anywhere in the UK tonight."

The city will host a much more sedate march later in the year as part of St Andrew's Day.