Spending Halloween in Edinburgh has always been such a dream of mine—the bright autumn leaves, the mysterious castles, the cobbled streets and amazing thrift stores. I have been excited to maximize the spooky aesthetic this Autumn, so when I finally got off the waitlist for the Beltane Fire Society’s Samhuinn Fire Festival, I bought the tickets in seconds! I’d heard of Samhuinn before but did a bit of extra research beforehand. In case you don’t know, Samhuinn (pronounced “Sa-wayne”) is an ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It’s believed to be when the barrier between our world and the spirit world is at its thinnest, allowing mystical beings, like fairies, to wander freely! Although Samhuinn has blended with Christian celebrations like All Hallows’ Day, some traditional customs still remain in Scotland today.
With all of this rich history in mind, I arrived with high expectations for the festival, and it completely exceeded them. Now, the line was incredibly long, stretching nearly the whole length of the park, but it moved surprisingly quickly. Before the performances, I visited an enchanting flower-lit section where I was handed a piece of cloth. The guide explained that tying a knot in it and tossing it into a barrel would release any negative energy or memory. The performers were dressed in the most stunning costumes and intricate makeup. I was amazed at the kindness and compassion they showed to every participant, sharing kind words and hugs to anyone touched by the ceremony. It made the whole experience feel so genuine and cathartic.
And then, we finally reached the main event, and it was just incredible. Hooded performers twirled staffs of fire, several sword fights took place with flaming swords, and acrobats painted in bright red formed human pyramids that would bring tears to a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Throughout the whole performance, I struggled to keep my jaw off the floor. While navigating the crowd, I met people who had traveled all the way from Germany, France, and Italy just to be here, and I could understand why—it was the most magical, breath-taking experience. There were even delicious food trucks near the entrance, so I got to make a perfect evening more perfect with some delicious churros that I split with my friends.
If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh in October, you must put the Samhuinn festival on your list. When you go, be sure to scan the QR code by the door to learn more about the characters depicted in the performance (including Summer’s Guard, Torchbearers, Winter’s Guard, Veles, Reds, Samhuinn Stewards, Púcaí, and more!).
For some more information:
Beltane.org – Announcing our Samhuinn 2024 groups and how to get involved
The Scotsman – Halloween: The weird and wonderful scottish traditions of Samhain
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