Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival
This blog shares my own experience of the Beltane Fire Festival, Edinburgh.
Although my friends have been going for years, last year was my first year attending.
I loved it so much, I came back this year.
I wrote this blog after my initial Beltane, because my freshness made sharing impressions and tips easy, including the few things I wish I’d done differently.
I help visitors get the most out of their stay in Scotland! This blog is to help you enjoy visiting the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh on your first time.
But first, a quick introduction…
As lead coach at a small, independent language school in Perthshire, where I offer 1:1 real-world English holidays that combine language learning with meaningful experiences across Scotland.
This spring, I had the pleasure of guiding Katarzyna – an advanced English user, through a week-long coaching programme built around cultural immersion.
Together, we explored the Scottish landscape, spoke with artists, and connected with locals as a springboard for authentic English practice.
One of the highlights of the whole holiday was attending the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh.
I included it in our week, because our goal isn’t just to improve English – it’s to help you grow into someone who feels truly confident expressing yourself in another language.
Beltane perfectly captures that spirit.
It invites you to shed old habits, step into something bold, and discover a different way of being you.
What is Beltane?
Beltane is an ancient celebration marking the beginning of summer through fertility rites, fire, drumming and dancing.
It is still remembered through popular folk traditions: it’s the origin of English maypole dancing too: but it’s not widely celebrated in the UK.
When I was growing up, the tradition was to climb a hill before dawn on May 1st, to wash your face in the morning dew.
However, the once significant date is now just a bank holiday for most of the population.
All of this makes it extra wonderful that The Beltane Fire Society are keeping ancient customs alive.
Edinburgh’s Beltane celebration is a unique opportunity to connect with costumes, rites and worship of times past.
The Night Unfolds
What to Expect
The evening begins with waiting for the sun to set.
The first performers are in place, visible on the monument walls, the wind flapping their cloaks but otherwise, they are still.
Poised.
Feel the Night
Night arrives to cheers, the beacons are lit, drumming begins and burning shapes light up the night.
The hillside is soon completely dark.
Your senses heighten as you must find your footing as processions of strange, beautiful characters spread light, comedy, joy, love and mischief as they weave through the crowds.
They are characters from ancient lore – but you don’t need to know the tales to feel emerged in them.
They will remind you of ancient roles of protection, and ways of worshipping and celebrating that you forgot you even knew.
About Photography
There needs to be a conversation about iPhone photography and privacy at the Beltane Festival.
Phone technology is so good that it automatically converts low-light situations into bright scenes. This may make detailed shots, but it demystifies the night, as well as exposing nude performers to an extent they may not have intended.
Everything in the event is highly Instagramable, but don’t omit putting your phone away and watching, listening and feeling.
The point is not to see the glue holding the costumes together, but to feel connected to the seasons, humanity and the natural world.
About Clothes
Everyone will tell you to wear warm clothes and strong shoes.
While this is undoubtedly sensible, I took it to heart and then regretted being as boringly dressed as I was.
I mean, do stay safe, but this is an opportunity to be as glorious as you wish.
The floaty dresses, costumes and luminous makeup of the audience are gorgeous.
Who to Go With
This is a great festival to go to alone.
Even if you attend with friends (or English learners!) I suggest splitting up and then meeting up later to share what you saw.
If you experience the festival alone, you can move with it like a pebble in the tide.
There are plenty of people to share conversations with, but above all, the most powerful moments are the silent and still ones, like waiting for the sunset or the pauses between drumming.
The silence is part of the show/event.
Don’t miss it by talking.
About Audience Interaction
There are performances on different ‘stages,’ including on the classical temple walls.
Other performers walk through the crowds as processions, acting/being personalities, animals and spirits. Depending on their role, they may be generous, playful or aloof as they interact with the audience.
Other Beltane players seem to be our guides, for example, the girl at the start giving everyone their Beltane blessing radiated such warmth that I was buzzing afterwards.
Being Wrong About the Beltane Festival
I realised afterwards that I had held the prejudice that the event might feel a bit pretentious.
Friends who have been coming for years had told me that the vibe had changed, that modern Beltane was more of a show than a grassroots festival.
My impression was of a friendly festival that may have grown in size, but still seemed to exist to celebrate and share a moment that people truly love.
The Spiritual Side
For many attending Beltane, it’s a big glorious show.
For others, it’s a fresh start as powerful as New Year.
Above all, it’s a sincere (but joyous) spiritual celebration in which we are guests.
The Beltane Fire Festival shares ways to connect with nature and ancestors.
It even reminds us of a different way of being alive.
Its power is that within all the colourful chaos, you feel more aware of the night’s sky, and your own heart beating in your body.
A Final Tip to Enjoy Beltane
Don’t try to see it all – you just can’t.
By chance, you’ll be in the perfect position for one scene. At other times, you’ll hear a great cheer from the crowd and know you are missing out.
Beltane is about freedom from normality, and a chance to indulge in being someone else, or feeling something else for an evening. If you suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) (perhaps we all do), you can choose to leave it behind for the night.
The Torchlit Parade
In this video (2025), you can see the foxes, who have been cavorting mischievously all evening, bow to the Queen.
She moves slowly through the crowd, followed by all the actors, to a finale battle scene, then the bonfire is lit.
Checklist
The Beltane Fire Festival
How does this English conversation activity help your English / positively impact our community:
✅ Great for mental/physical health (if you aren’t scared of heights).
⭕ benefits our local community.
🟠 preserves craft skills, historic machinery, monuments etc.
✅ gets you talking with a rich and diverse selection of people, or about diverse subjects.
⭕ supports Scottish industry/agriculture
✅ supports arts & artists
⭕ explores Scottish wildlife in non-invasive ways
🟠 a good introduction to Scottish culture
✅ financially contributes to preserving culture
✅ it is for fun and feeling good in English.
Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival
Taste Freedom
The whole evening modelled what freedom can look and feel like.
That’s freedom from rules, clothes, small talk, inhibitions (and plenty of other social norms).
If you follow me as an English teacher, you know I’m all about immersive experiences which have the power to change how you think and feel.
Beltane is a good one!
If you’re in Edinburgh at the start of May, don’t miss it!
And book your ticket early as places are limited.
English learning, differently!
How our blend of real-world English unlocks speakers,
one voice at a time.
Get Talking This Summer
We still have places for this year’s English Language Vacations in Scotland.
Want to bring a friend/partner? We’ll close that group, so it’s just you two.
It all starts with a video call, and let us build you a cultural immersion English course that will get you talking!
Let’s Talk!
I’d love to answer your questions about our language holidays exploring Scotland.
I’ll ask about your hobbies and interests on the call, and see how we can fit them into your holiday!
See Scotland Learning English
If you would like to experience Scottish culture WHILE enjoying using your English, I’d love to be your guide.
We have another festival-based holiday coming up:
Discover how our language school shares the Drovers Tryst Festival.
