Edinburgh 'fire festival' in pictures as Scots celebrate start of summer
The Beltane Fire Festival is an annual event that takes place on Calton Hill and takes the form of a procession that starts at Edinburgh's National Monument.
A unique festival took place in Edinburgh this week that celebrates the beginning of summer.
The Beltane Fire Festival is an annual event that takes place on April 30 at Calton Hill. It takes the form of a procession that starts at Edinburgh's National Monument - and the one-of-a-kind festival involves acrobats, dancers, musicians, puppeteers, and more.
It is an immersive and interactive experience, with no barriers between the audience and performers. The Beltane Fire Festival tells the story of the May Queen and the Green Man.
The pair lead the procession, which also includes a wide variety of other colourful characters, joined by other performers painted in bright colours, with many semi-nude.
Over the course of the festival, guests will observe the death and rebirth of the Green Man - and this symbolic ritual signals the beginning of summer.
Here the Record takes a look at the best pictures from yesterday.
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