Beltane Fire Society

From the first strike of stick on skin at the beginning of the procession, to the final frenzy at the Bonfire, the Processional Drummers of Beltane define the ritual space itself. Even those who cannot see the action are moved to pulse of the massed drummers.

Drumming is one of the oldest known methods of obtaining trance states, altering consciousness to allow a glimpse of the divine, and so it is at Beltane – holding thousands entranced as the magical procession makes its way around the hill. Their rhythm represents the passing of time, the cycle of seasons and the underlying pulse of life itself.

The processional drummers also take the guise of the masked winter court drummers at Samhuinn, their thunder echoes around the walls of the Old Town announcing the arrival of the dark days. The summer revellers run in terror as the host approaches to claim the year as their own. They engage in a battle of noise with the summer court musicians as the winter and summer kings do battle with fireballs and broadswords.