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Beltane Fire Festival Edinburgh
Not yet published by Mona Rae, Writer
Country: United Kingdom 
The Experience
The Beltane Fire Festival of Edinburg is one of the most popular fire festivals. It takes place in summer, from April 30th to May 2nd. It is celebrated in Calton Hill. The origin of the festival is from the Scottish and Irish- Gaelic background. The name of the festival means Bright and sacred fire and it is pretty self explanatory. All Celtic festivals are considered to have begun from the Pre-Christian era. Celts were one of the bravest and the oldest tribes known to humanity. They were considered to be barbaric in some ways too. However they have created popular interest from times unknown through their traditions.
Edinburgh’s Beltane festival traditionally takes place on the 30th of April every year on Calton Hill. In the ancient times the festival was mainly celebrated to mark the beginning of spring. There was no fixed date to begin the festival but the Celts followed the solar calendar. It was held on the first full moon a day after spring began. It was approximately around May 1st in modern English calendar. Another indicating factor was the blooming of Hawthorne in spring. So the tradition of celebrating the Beltane fire festival of Edinburgh continued ever since.
The celebration of Beltane Fire Festival of Edinburgh was to increase the fertility of the land for the humans and animals residing there. The main element of the festival is the fire. A new scared fire is lit and people would also light their own bonfires by taking light from the scared fire. It is celebrated in the evening. Smoke and flames derived from the local wood, food and flowers have healing powers. This was the popular belief. In ancient times animals were also driven into the fire but this is not seen today. We live in a much more civilized way so the adaptation of the festival is according to the modern rules.
The tickets are sold at six pounds each for the Beltane Fire festival of Edinburgh. Advance bookings are required because it gets overcrowded every season. The main ticket office is at Edinburgh in Castle Hill. Online bookings are possible. The tickets are printed in a limited quantity so one has to plan carefully to attend this festival. The festival begins exactly at 9 PM on April 30th night. The sooner you arrive, a better spot you can get.
Remember that more than 12000 people attend the Beltane Fire Festival of Edinburgh every year. Though the park takes very good care of their people, they still have their own responsibilities. The stewards who serve food are also the caretakers of the visitor’s safety. If need be you can contact them. However read the rules well before you enter the festival grounds because if you do not comply you will be rejected to enter outright. While visiting the festival grounds, go with a limited stuff. Do not have too much baggage with you like food, water and drinks. Everything is served there and be willing to spend some money.
The celebration of Beltane Fire Festival of Edinburgh was to increase the fertility of the land for the humans and animals residing there. The main element of the festival is the fire. A new scared fire is lit and people would also light their own bonfires by taking light from the scared fire. It is celebrated in the evening. Smoke and flames derived from the local wood, food and flowers have healing powers. This was the popular belief. In ancient times animals were also driven into the fire but this is not seen today. We live in a much more civilized way so the adaptation of the festival is according to the modern rules.
The tickets are sold at six pounds each for the Beltane Fire festival of Edinburgh. Advance bookings are required because it gets overcrowded every season. The main ticket office is at Edinburgh in Castle Hill. Online bookings are possible. The tickets are printed in a limited quantity so one has to plan carefully to attend this festival. The festival begins exactly at 9 PM on April 30th night. The sooner you arrive, a better spot you can get.
Remember that more than 12000 people attend the Beltane Fire Festival of Edinburgh every year. Though the park takes very good care of their people, they still have their own responsibilities. The stewards who serve food are also the caretakers of the visitor’s safety. If need be you can contact them. However read the rules well before you enter the festival grounds because if you do not comply you will be rejected to enter outright. While visiting the festival grounds, go with a limited stuff. Do not have too much baggage with you like food, water and drinks. Everything is served there and be willing to spend some money.
When to Go
This festival begins at 9:00 pm on the 30th of April each year. The earlier you reach, the better spots you can find to sit and watch the festival. The tickets are sold at six pounds each for the Beltane Fire festival of Edinburgh. Advance bookings are required because it gets overcrowded every season.
Odds n' Ends
Read the rules well before you enter the festival grounds because if you do not comply you will be rejected to enter outright. While visiting the festival grounds, go with a limited stuff. Do not have too much baggage with you like food, water and drinks.
Places to Eat
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