Rayna Carruthers

Photographer

Between Sacred and Spectacle

License

School: The University of Edinburgh

Morgan poses for a portrait at ...ctor's mask with horns.

Morgan poses for a portrait at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31. She is wearing a homemade plague doctor's mask with horns.

The festival begins with perfor...os with their phones. Edinburgh

The festival begins with performers leading a procession from the top of Arthur's seat at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31. Attendees of the festival try and take videos and photos with their phones. Edinburgh

The view of Edinburgh from the ...ur's seat on Halloween.

The view of Edinburgh from the bottom of Arthur's seat on Halloween.

A performer at the Samhuinn Fir...Summer King by the Winter King.

A performer at the Samhuinn Fire festival walks in a procession holding a lit torch on October 31 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Fire plays an important role in the festival which celebrates the overthrowing of the Summer King by the Winter King.

Spectators of the Samhuinn fest... that was introduced this year.

Spectators of the Samhuinn festival try to get the best view of the performance at the main stage located just under Arthur's seat, Edinburgh, on October 31. The main stage was protected by fencing stopping people from getting too close to the performers and the fire which is a safety protocol that was introduced this year.

At the entrance to the Samhuinn...pularity in the last few years.

At the entrance to the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh, close to the Holyrood Parliament building, spectators get a burger at a burger van. Catering is a new addition to the event which has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years.

A safety person leads a process...de the performers and audience.

A safety person leads a procession of performers towards a performance area from the main stage at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31. The festival involves performers using fire so safety people often guide the performers and audience.

Anna, from Sweden, poses for a ...ecifically to attend the event.

Anna, from Sweden, poses for a portrait beside Arthur's seat in Edinburgh while waiting for the Samhuinn festival performances to begin. She made her hat and costume and travelled specifically to attend the event.

Stephanie and her boyfriend pos... events to start on October 31.

Stephanie and her boyfriend pose for a photo by Arthur's seat, Edinburgh, while waiting for the Samhuinn festival events to start on October 31.

A performer performs with fire ...far enough from the performers.

A performer performs with fire at the Samhuinn festival on October 31, Edinburgh. The festival goers are protected by a fence, ensuring they are far enough from the performers.

A performer rests and gets warm...s in the cold Scottish evening.

A performer rests and gets warm by a fire in the main stage area at the Samhuinn festival. Performers spend most of their time in the 3-hour festival nude or without many clothes in the cold Scottish evening.

A performer in character bends ...into character for the evening.

A performer in character bends over backwards and poses at the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh. Performers at the event are believers in the pagan ritual and spend hours beforehand getting into character for the evening.

A safety person walks between t...nburgh on October 31.

A safety person walks between the crowds behind a fence and performers holding lit torches at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31.

Dahlia poses for a portrait at ...amp;#39;t feel bound".

Dahlia poses for a portrait at the Samhuinn Festival in Edinburgh on October 31. She is from Manchester but travelled to Scotland for the event. She is Wiccan, which is pagan religion, and said of the festival " your feel free, you don't feel bound".

a crowd of spectators watch the...Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh.

a crowd of spectators watch the final performance behind fences at the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh.

A volunteer at the festival sta...r 31 at the end of the evening.

A volunteer at the festival starts to clear away part of the Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh on October 31 at the end of the evening.

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Thumbnail of Morgan poses for a portrait at t_octor's mask with horns.

Thumbnail of The festival begins with perform_tos with their phones. Edinburgh

Thumbnail of The view of Edinburgh from the b_hur's seat on Halloween.

Thumbnail of A performer at the Samhuinn Fire_ Summer King by the Winter King.

Thumbnail of Spectators of the Samhuinn festi_l that was introduced this year.

Thumbnail of At the entrance to the Samhuinn _opularity in the last few years.

Thumbnail of A safety person leads a processi_ide the performers and audience.

Thumbnail of Anna, from Sweden, poses for a p_pecifically to attend the event.

Thumbnail of Stephanie and her boyfriend pose_l events to start on October 31.

Thumbnail of A performer performs with fire a_ far enough from the performers.

Thumbnail of A performer rests and gets warm _es in the cold Scottish evening.

Thumbnail of A performer in character bends o_ into character for the evening.

Thumbnail of A safety person walks between th_inburgh on October 31.

Thumbnail of Dahlia poses for a portrait at t_'t feel bound".

Thumbnail of a crowd of spectators watch the _ Samhuinn festival in Edinburgh.

Thumbnail of A volunteer at the festival star_er 31 at the end of the evening.

Public Project

Between Sacred and Spectacle

Updated Jan 2025

Topics Spotlight

Summary

The Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh, a modern reimagining of ancient Celtic traditions, embodies the tensions between spirituality and consumerism.

The Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh is a modern reimagining of ancient Celtic traditions, marking the transition from summer to winter. Organised by the volunteer-run Beltane Fire Society, the festival blends ritual and spectacle, drawing thousands of spectators to witness fire performances, drumming, and a narrative battle between the Summer and Winter Kings overseen by the Cailleach, a Celtic earth goddess. While rooted in spirituality, the festival reflects a tension between sacred tradition and modern consumerism. Attendees range from spiritual seekers to tourists drawn by Edinburgh’s reputation for Halloween festivities. Many embrace New Age practices like "manifesting," blending self-help with ritual, while others come simply for the spectacle and creative costumes. Yet the blending of religion with tourism, entertainment, and consumer culture shapes such events. Samhuinn caters to a culture of self-expression and individualism while fostering a sense of global community. However, necessary regulations, fences, and food stalls highlight the festival's assimilation into consumerism. For long-time patrons, these changes signal a loss of authenticity, yet they reflect the realities of hosting large-scale events in a modern, transitory city. Ultimately, Samhuinn is a paradox: a celebration of ancient spirituality thriving within the structures of neoliberalism.

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