The open meeting is upon us and like the budding trees about to emerge into spring, so too is the Beltane Fire Society emerging from its hibernation. Group Organisers have been gathering, Court has assembled, Organisers have been organising, all preparing what is to come next!
The Beltane Open Meeting will take place on Saturday 21st February 2026 at Greyfriars Kirk (the one near the statue of the dog, not Charteris).
Doors open from 12.30 with the presentations starting at 1.45pm sharp.
There will be a session for first-time attendees from 1.15pm to welcome them to the Society and give them a little context to what we do.
You can find more info on it here.
In the meantime, here are all the Open and Closed Groups as well as the Projects that you can get involved in!
Please note: where organisers mention whether a group is child-friendly or not, this refers to whether parents are able to bring their children along to practice in order to increase accessibility to parents. Children are not able to perform in any capacity and parents will be responsible for them throughout the practice.
Open Groups
Beastie Drummers
Group Organisers: Anna, Chrysa, Jude, Lizzie
There’s no single way to be a Beastie. Every rhythm, every energy, and every beast has their own place.
Together, we become a burst of rhythm and movement: playful, bold, mischievous, alive with drums! This year is about joy, discovery and expression – making space for many different energies to move together and create something fresh, wild and full of momentum. In light of individual expression, we’re approaching the drumming side of things in a multi-faceted way; we’ll be learning tunes in a traditional fashion, but we’re also aiming for a slightly different/new approach with space for improvisation and creative input from the group.
Expect roaring drums, high-energy tunes, moments of freedom and release so your inner beast may shine. We’ll be loud, we’ll be radiant, we’ll be raw at times – we’ll take that collective pulse out onto the hill, carrying the rhythm of summer with us wherever we go.
The Practical Stuff
Commitment level:
We expect high commitment. We’ll be rehearsing twice a week, on Wednesdays (7-10pm) and Sundays (2:30-7pm*) with some extra time set aside for costuming and optional busks and socials. There will be an away weekend 3-5 April, which includes optional wild camping. We will require every Beast to attend the full Saturday for drumming purposes, but the entire experience is strongly recommended.
*We will start a bit later on some Sundays, but we have set aside the extra time for outdoor play and other stuff.
Drums we’ll be playing:
Djembes, basses, snares and shakers.
Experience level/requirements:
Open to all, whether you’re completely new to drumming or have lots of experience already. A mix of levels is very welcome! We are friendly to all inner children, but cannot accommodate real life children due to the nature of our practices and activities.
We are open to discussing any accessibility needs members may have, but as a group we will be roaming the hill with drums strapped to our bodies and there is not much wiggle room in this department. Please reach out with any questions or concerns about this (email address below)!
Finances:
An expected contribution of £50–£60 (depending on final group numbers). We don’t want finances to be a barrier to taking part, so if cost might be an issue, please get in touch with us in confidence!
Open practices at The Bongo Club
- Sunday 22 February: 4-7pm
- Wednesday 25 February: 7-10pm
- Sunday 1 March: 4-7pm
Here is a link to our open practice sign-up sheet, and feel free to email us at beasties@beltane.org for anything and everything.
Looking forward to seeing you, and much Beastie love xoxo
Circle of the Red
Group Organisers: Jacob Forsyth-Davies (They/Them), Ray Preuss (They/Them), Sianan Irvine (She/Her) reds@beltane.org
Winter is passing, the world is waking, a Circle of energy is building…
Moving in a shared ritual, the Reds draw the hill into motion and spell, reminding everyone that heat without intention is not power. We dance with each other, playful, embracing those parts of us that we are often told to hide or change to be more palatable. We do not perform for anyone other than ourselves, and invite those witnessing to embrace their own truths.
The Circle of the Reds are:
- Incorporating fire and movement into the traditional acrobatics of the Reds.
- Designed for all levels of experience: come ready to sweat, come with some experience of these, or even none!
- Embodying a feminine-coded power in its broadest, most inclusive sense. What is your internal femme?
We are a HIGH commitment group.
Open Practices – held at Red Point, The Meadows (Near Middle Meadow Walk):
Sunday the 22nd from 1-3:30 PM
Wednesday the 25th from 7-9:30 PM
Saturday the 28th from 1-3:30 PM
Closed Practices: every Sunday from 1-6PM and Wednesday from 7-9:30PM (at Red Point with some indoor).
Rira (Camping Weekend Away) is mandatory, April 3-5th
We will have exercise and character homework, and non-mandatory but extremely fun social events.
Join us, bring out your femme, your fire, your freedom!!
Coven
Group Organisers: Alex D, Alex P, Soph
Coven reclaims the witch as a symbol of diversity, otherness, and deep intuitive knowing, expressed through movement, rhythm, and collective ritual presence.
This year, at the heart of our group is the Trojan Princess Cassandra, both as a character and archetype. Cassandra represents any seer and outcast speaking uncomfortable truths that curse them never to be believed. Our coven tributes foresight, intuition, and bravery by elevating this archetype from a single tragic figure to a powerful collective presence.
On the festival night, we will embody a chorus of prophetic voices moving through the ritual space, foretelling the journeys of our court figures. Alongside, we will be telling our own story and honouring our truth. On this magical night, we, Cassandras, will refuse to be silenced or ignored and will instead be witnessed as we realign with who we are, innately and intuitively, by reconnecting with our spirit through shared expression.
Our performance is rooted in the aesthetics of Ancient Greek tragedy, beginning with precise, restrained, and rhythmic movement, reflecting the rigid systems that stifle Cassandra’s voice. As the night progresses, we tear through our restraints to be reborn into a free-flow performance where movement softens and voices overlap, allowing our authenticity to surface.
In the run-up to the festival, we will develop our performance as a coven grounded in shared intuition and collective creativity. Our focus will be on character work, harmonic vocalisations, storytelling, and ritual, while connecting with ourselves, nature, and the cosmos.
Please note that our practices and performance include physical movement and walking, we wish to make our group as accessible as possible for anyone interested. Please come talk to either of us if you think you might benefit from reasonable adjustments or any additional support physically or otherwise.
For any information, please email us at coven@beltane.org
Commitment Level: High
Open Practices:
- Wednesday 25th February, 7:00pm–9:00pm
- Thursday 26th February, 7:00pm–9:00pm
Lister Teaching and Learning Centre (Room 5.2) 5 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9SU - Saturday 28th February, 1:00pm–3:00pm
The Meadows (corner of Boroughlock Walk & North Meadow Walk, near the tennis court)
Closed Practices:
- Wednesdays: 6:30pm–8:45pm
- Sundays: 1:00pm–3:00pm
(Please note: some Sunday sessions may vary)
Staycation:
- 21st–22nd March
Suggested Contribution: £50 (includes base costume materials)
Please note: if you can’t meet the contribution requirements, support is available.
We strongly encourage consistent participation.
Goblin Tails Tales (Bower)
Group Organisers: Charlie (she/her), Cat, and Eel (they/he) – goblins@beltane.org
Photos copyright Elliot Erskine for Beltane Fire Society.
Goblins are shaking off the winter chill to tidy and decorate Bower ready for the new season! Hanging up the bunting, lights, and deciding the correct positioning of items. Yes yes. Being goblins though, we physically clown around and are easily distracted from our tasks. We’ll interact with anyone who catches our attention, enthusiastically sharing tales of rocks, bugs, histories, other groups, and ooh what’s that over there?! All of our tales are true. Honest!!
Goblins will be active from gates open on the night, welcoming visitors to the hill while we set up in Bower. Once the festival begins we provide a welcoming space for Court and other groups to visit, perform rituals, collaborate, and celebrate on the night. We will also be preparing a safe spot to store cloaks and bower bags, and absolutely won’t steal the other groups’ bower snacks. No no. We’re very well behaved goblins. We promise!
If you’re looking for an accessible group with performance and tech elements, that will allow you to collaborate on ideas but not have to think too hard about what tales to tell, we may just be the group for you. Open to newcomers and experienced Beltaners alike.
Accessibility information
We aim to be broadly accessible in terms of time commitment, experience, costuming, physicality, and various needs. There will be plenty of options for sitting (even on the night), warming up with tea, and developing gentle physical character work.
Sunday practices are likely to be child-friendly with a few specific exceptions (Fire safety training etc.). Please check in with GOs in advance to confirm if the day’s location and activities will be suitable. Our optional Thursday sessions will not be child-friendly as they will mostly be in Beltonia which is an industrial space.
Commitment level
Low. We will have weekly Sunday practices, and optional Thursday costuming/prop/bower organisation sessions.
Being available to attend and assist with one of either Rig on April 29th (setting up on the hill pre-festival) OR de-rig May 1st (taking down on the hill), will be looked on favourably.
Expected financial contribution
£15, plus your own costuming/prop making costs.
Staycation dates
Saturday 4th- Sunday 5th April.
Collaborative itinerary by the group, we don’t intend to have a sleepover or to have full day practices.
Open practice schedule
- Thursday February 26th 6:30-8:30pm, location will be a cafe/pub in the city centre.
- Sunday March 1st 1-3pm, location will be a cafe in the city centre.
You only need to attend one of our opens for selection.
First closed rehearsal
- Sunday March 8th 1-3:30pm
Closed practice schedule
- Sunday practices 1-3:30pm. Location will vary across Calton Hill (City centre), GO’s garden (Restalrig), and Beltonia (Leith).
- Optional Thursday 6:30-8pm costuming/prop making/bower organisation sessions at Beltonia (Leith).
Luan-Lus
Group Organisers Names: Dominik (they/them), Nel (they/them), Franklyn (they/them), Lanta (they/she)
Concept
🐇🌙🐇
We are Luan-Lus.
We are hares from folk legends, who come to the hill to tell our stories.
We are the hares of dreams and nightmares.
We are the messengers of the moon.
We tell our tales through acrobatics, dance, physical theatre and movement.
We will bring our story to the dark spaces of the hill where other groups don’t go.
We will communicate with the witnesses as creatures of myth and dreams and draw them into our tales and Beltane as a whole.
We’re looking for people who have some acro experience inside or outside Beltane. Come and run with us.
🐇🌙🐇
Commitment level: High/Medium
We will have two mandatory rehearsals per week with an optional acro-jam after the Sunday practice to further hone our skills and play with our performance.
Expected financial contribution: £55
We don’t want finances to be a barrier to getting involved. If you are worried that cost might be an issue, please feel free to reach out to us in confidence!
Weekend away dates: 3-5 April
Open practice schedule
- 2-4pm Sunday 22st of February
- 7-9pm Wednesday 25th of February
- 7-9pm Friday 27th of February
First closed rehearsal: 1-6pm Sunday 1st of March
Closed practice schedule
Wednesdays: 7-9:30pm
Sundays: 1-4pm (practice), 4-6pm (optional acro jam) – with the exception of the first closed
Type of leadership
We want to lead the group in a non-hierarchical way where possible. We will be a small group and will actively encourage input from group members. We will do our best to accommodate personal goals across the different aspects of the group such as acrobatics, costuming and dance.
Accessibility information
Due to the risks involved in the performance of acrobatics we cannot allow children to attend practices.
We are a highly physical group, and while we will do our best to accommodate accessibility needs, we do require a higher level of mobility compared to most Beltane groups.
We also require some degree of familiarity with acrobatics or related activities (e.g. pole or aerial). Please talk to us if you’re not sure!
Nightwatch (Stewards & Torchies)
Group Organisers: Ann, Feorag, Nora and Zoe-Tara
Nightwatch is a welcoming group of Beltane Stewards and Torchbearers.
The two have an interwoven role at Beltane. We guard the space between the audience and performers. Torchbearers light the way around Calton Hill as Stewards act as chaperones, guided by the May Queen and Green Man amongst the cosmos that we all inhabit.
Torchbearers, in their black cloaks, light the performance with open fire carried in long metal torches.
Stewards, clad in high-vis, answer audience questions, hold the performance space, with optional further interactions with audience, spreading Beltane stories; both modern and of old. Stewards are also part of the fire safety for the festival.
We have many skills to learn, such as crowd engagement and navigation and safe fire handling. Sessions will be fun and informative, using techniques and games like improvisation and storytelling – getting prepared for the unexpected.
Nightwatch is a brilliant place to start if you are curious about the Beltane Fire Society but aren’t sure how to get involved. Many stewards and torchbearers go on to take part in other groups – most long serving members of the Society have been one at one time or another.
No prior experience with Beltane Fire Society or as an event steward is necessary, as training will be provided in the weeks leading up to the festival in audience interaction, crowd control and fire safety.
Key Information
- Nightwatch is a low(ish) commitment group. We want stewards to attend as many sessions as possible to allow understanding of the festival. Regular meetings will be on Sunday afternoons 2pm to 4pm, usually on Calton Hill, with a social option afterwards.
- Torchbearers (sign up cut off 23rd March) also meet on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm at Beltonia for things like costume or torch ball making.
- To join Nightwatch on the Beltane night, you have to be able to attend at least two Sunday practices, a health and safety brief, a fire safety session and attend at least one, ideally both walk-throughs (Sunday 12th and Sunday 26th April, 12noon to 5pm). Torchbearers should also attend at least one Wednesday torch ball session.
- Members will need to have leather gloves and suitable fireproof clothing on the night. There may also be additional costs for costuming, for example cloaks can be expensive.
- Being in the Nightwatch involves a lot of standing and walking – if you have concerns about this, please do get in touch. Roles on the night are varied, and we can always find something that will work for everyone.
First practice: Sunday 1st March, 2pm, meeting on Calton Hill at the Portuguese Cannon, EH7 5AA
Contact: nightwatch@beltane.org
To express your interest in joining the group, please sign up to our mailing list below.
Please note the cut-off dates for joining Nightwatch are 23rd March for Torchbearers and 19th April for Stewards. Experienced members may join after those dates at the GOs discretion.
The Order of May
Group organisers: Julia Morales (she/they), Nina Willms (she/her), and Chris Meechan (he/him)
HWÆT! Come all ye gentle folk. Come all ye who desire communion with nature. Come all ye who champion love. Come all ye who seek the restoration of that which has been lost. Come all ye who serve the May Queen. Come all ye and attend The Order of May.
The Order of May is an ancient order of Pagan Knights, bound both by devotion to our beloved May Queen and adherence to a chivalric code of nine virtues: compassion, loyalty, stewardship of nature, wisdom, courage, justice, passion, humility, and generosity. It is through this deep devotion and exploration of chivalric virtues that we seek to restore our connection to nature and to healthy masculinity (something we believe exists in all people of all gender identities and expressions). It is our hope that by cultivating a healthy masculine presence within ourselves, we give space for the lost feminine in the world to flourish. Our group journey will mirror that of an Arthurian grail quest – recognising the loss of humanity’s connection to the land, expressing grief for this loss, and seeking reconnection.
Painted in white and adorned with heraldry, our noble retinue will journey around the Hill, providing a sense of profound stability and grounding for the May Queen. We will use embodied characterisation, costuming, physical storytelling, choreography, vocal performance, and ritual to convey our story. We are open to seasoned performers and absolute beginners alike. We are a ritual-focused group that will use keening and grief tending as a key part of our run-up and performance, so please consider if this is something you feel comfortable holding.
Commitment level: HIGH – two outdoor practices per week, one highly encouraged away weekend, multiple encouraged social gatherings and costuming sessions.
Accessibility: This group requires long stretches of time spent on your feet, commitment to regular outdoor rehearsals in all weather, slow and controlled movement, learning and memorising choreography, and presence in ritual spaces. We are unable to accommodate children at our rehearsals due to the nature of our performance and the high level of focus required. That being said, we would like for this group to be as accessible as possible to as many people as possible, so if you have any specific concerns or needs please get in touch with us and we’d be more than happy to discuss these with you one-on-one, so we can see if we can find a way for you to safely take part in The Order of May.
Expected financial contribution: £55. Again, we do not want finances to be a barrier to participation, so if you have concerns about the group contribution we are happy to discuss these with you.
Closed practice schedule: Wednesdays 7-10pm, Sundays 3-6pm, Meadows.
First closed practice: Wednesday March 4th, 7-10pm.
HIGHLY ENCOURAGED away weekend: March 27th – 29th.
Open practice schedule:
- Sunday February 22nd 3-5pm
- Wednesday February 25th 7-9pm
- Sunday March 1st 3-5pm
All open practice sessions will be held in the Meadows, with an exact location to be shared with those who sign up using the form below!
If you have any questions at all, please get in touch via email (orderofmay@beltane.org) or speak with us at one of our open practices.
To sign up for our open practices, please complete this short form here.
Photopoint
Group Organisers: Zhi Kang Chua (he/him) Izzy Henry (she/her)
Photopoint are the volunteer photographers of the festival. During the run-up, we capture each group’s journey as they prepare for the big night. During the festival, we weave between the spiritual and the physical, capturing the ways our community comes together to Do The Thing – acrobatics, fire spinning, tech, stewarding, everything.
We welcome photographers of all experience levels and complete beginners. You’ll need to source your own camera but we are happy to help you find one. Videographers are welcome too!
Our first closed practice will be on Saturday 28 February, focusing on health and safety. We will meet near the bottom of Leith Walk.
In March, we’ll have practices on Thursdays (optional) and Sundays (compulsory), focusing on the photography basics, experimenting with different styles and settings, editing software, and important topics like consent. These will be held near the city centre. This is where you’ll build your skills, develop new tricks, and probably learn something about your camera that you never knew before!
We want to have a day out at the end of March/early April. We’ll develop plans for this together with the group.
In April, we’ll be visiting other groups during their practices to capture the various pieces of the festival. This is when we start getting a feel for how the festival is coming together. Members must also attend at least one Walkthrough.
Photopoint runs until the end of May (one month post-festival) as we edit and upload our photos from the night.
As GOs, we’re here to facilitate peer-to-peer learning and ensure the group is a safe space for all. We are looking to recruit a mix of experienced and novice photographers.
We can tailor all our activities to suit the accessibility needs of our members. For the festival itself, we are also happy to accommodate any accessibility requests.
Members may be able to bring children along to some practice sessions and some group shoots. Please reach out and we are happy to discuss, as not all of our sessions and shoots are child-friendly.
Commitment level
February
- Saturday 28 February 6pm – 8pm (compulsory) – Health & Safety Briefing and Introduction
March
- Thursdays 6:30pm – 8:30pm (optional)
- Sundays 5pm – 7pm (compulsory)
April
- One Court shoot + Two group shoots (minimum)
- Group shoots schedule to be finalised by early-April
- Walkthrough 12 April and 26 April – must attend at least one
- Photo editing and upload – this will be opt-in, edit as many or as few as you’d like
- Festival! 30 April
May
- Post-festival photo editing and upload – this will be opt-in, edit as many or as few as you’d like
Expected financial contribution
£15/person
Weekend Away Dates/or details
Details TBC. Expected end-March / early-April. Plans to be developed together with group members.
Open practice schedule
Sunday 22 February – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Thursday 26 February – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Venue: outside St Giles’ Cathedral (under the statue of Walter Scott) at 6:30pm.
Address: Queensberry Memorial to Walter Scott, W Parliament Sq, Edinburgh EH1 1RN
We will have some group introductions, and talk a bit about the festival and the group. Then we will roam around, dodging the rain, taking some photos and getting to know each other. There will also be plenty of time to ask any questions!
The deadline for submitting your application will be 5pm on Friday 27 February. We’ll share the application form starting Sunday 22 February.
Your group email address
If you would like to sign up for PhotoPoint open practices, please fill out this form or contact us at photopoint@beltane.org
Processional Drummers
Group Organisers: Liam Rees, Andy Walker
The Processional Drummers are the engine of the procession, a relentless mechanical heartbeat of dark, gnarly rhythms that propels the procession around the hill at the May Queen’s command.
We are a high commitment, low time expenditure group – we will rehearse only on Sundays, plus an all day ‘staycation’ in Blackford Quarry on Saturday 5th April, but you should plan to attend the daytime part of the staycation (10am-6pm) and every Sunday rehearsal if possible.
We’re looking for experienced drummers who have had at least one or two festivals as a drummer, although we will also consider promising newcomers. You will need to have or borrow your own drum (bass, floor tom or snare), sticks and strap as we aren’t arranging loaners this festival.
As with most drum crews, the GOs dictate most things about the group, such as what we’re playing and when. We will be making simple and identical costumes as a group – there will be some room for discussion of what those look like.
We will ask for a contribution of £50 to cover rehearsal space, costume, paint, getting ready space, firewood for the staycation, and other miscellaneous costs. Any leftover funds will be returned at the post-festival debrief.
While we never go faster than a slow walk, you will need to be able to walk on grassy and uneven ground while drumming, and to descend the large (roughly 2 foot/60cm) steps of the Acropolis with a drum strapped to you. You will also need reasonable low light vision.
We are not a child friendly group, as we expect our members to dedicate their full attention towards practice at rehearsals, although older childeen who don’t mind loud noises and can amuse themselves for three hours would be welcome.
We will have only one open rehearsal:
Bongo Club
Sunday 22nd February (the day after the open meeting!)
4-7pm
Please bring a drum, strap and sticks/beaters
We will be doing our group selection on Thursday, so if you also want to attend the Beasties’ open rehearsal on Wednesday, you have time to do so before committing.
Email us with any questions: processionals@beltane.org
Selkie Soundsphere (Water Point)
Group Organisers: Kaelin Farnish (they/them), Violette Rose (she/her), and Stacey Haze (she/they) water@beltane.org
Selkies are a race of shape-shifting seal creatures from both Celtic and Nordic coastal mythology. Whilst living mostly amongst the seals they can also shed their skin and walk on land in human form, where their interactions with humans can bring great happiness, and great misery…
We will retell this classic tale in an original performance, shaped and adapted to the ideas and skills brought by each member. Our practices will be playful and fun, encouraging group bonding, creativity and expression – however we will also be exploring emotional themes of conflict and loss. We aim to be accessible and accommodating of any physical and emotional needs, so if you need any extra support please just let us know.
We are looking for musicians and singers with some experience to join us in co-creating an original music soundscape. We are also looking for character performers to express the Selkie’s tales through movement, props and costume. Technical skills like costume/puppet making and set dressing are a plus, but training will be given. You do not need to have any theatrical experience to participate, but enthusiasm is key!
We will offer a wool felting workshop, where you will learn a wet-felting technique to create your own realistic Selkie seal skin to keep.
On Beltane night we’ll be weaving an original story between interactive musical and theatrical forms, including both choreography and improvisation. As frolicking seals we may be whimsical and mischievous, but we will also be expressing tragedy and distress in this classic tale of heartbreak and impossible choices.
Practices will be twice a week:
Sundays 1-4pm at Beltane Soundsphere
Wednesdays, 6:30-9pm (musicians) at Beltane Soundsphere
or 6:30-8-30 (performers) University building tbc
Beltane Soundsphere is a dedicated space to the West of town, 7 Lochside Ave, beside the Edinburgh Park Central tram stop. It has bathrooms, a lift, sofa lounge, children’s play area, tea and snacks 🙂
- Commitment level- Medium/High, 2 practices a week and some extra days possible in the final weeks of the runup.
- Expected financial contribution- £30 (hardship fund available)
- We are a child-friendly group and may have a 7 year-old attend practices occasionally.
- Weekend ‘Away’ Dates: 21st and 22nd March, location TBC
- Possible performance at the Drum Club event on 17/4 tbc, and at the outdoor BFS Busk 18/4 tbc.
- Open practice schedule below. You must attend at least ONE to apply for the group. Musicians- bring your instrument/s for an informal jam!
- Sunday 22/2 @ 5-7pm at Beltane Soundsphere (musicians and performers).
- Wednesday 25/2 @ 6:30-8:30pm at Beltane Soundsphere (musicians and performers). This is the musician’s last open session. Further sessions thereafter are by special arrangement only, email water@beltane.org)
- Sunday 1/3 @ 1-3pm outdoors on Calton Hill (for performers only)
Tech
Group Organisers: Peter Jackson, Niall Walsh
Come be a part of the festival from behind the scenes!
Tech are the Beltaners who build, transport and set up most of the physical stuff on the hill, and facilitate the tech needs of other groups (within reason!) On the night, we light fires all over the hill, put them out at the end, and generally contribute to the safety and smooth running of the festival. We work with most groups, but especially closely with our contractors, stewards, torchies, and anyone wanting to do anything technically cool!
From stage building, to fire sculptures, to extinguishing practice, we do a little bit of everything, and deal a little bit with everyone. It’s a great way to see the big picture of how the festival works! Oh, and most of us get to watch the stage sequence from the Acropolis…
You don’t need specific skills, only enthusiasm to learn! Whether you’re completely new to BFS, have only done performance groups, or you’ve been involved in more festivals in more ways than you can count, everyone is welcome in Tech. We’re here to share knowledge, learn from each other, and have a good time.
- Tech is a variable time commitment group. We are keen to be as flexible as possible to make it easier for you to be involved!
- We meet most Sunday afternoons in the run up; usually at Beltonia (our warehouse and workshop in Leith), with the occasional meet on Calton Hill.
- The only things you have to attend (before Beltane itself) are the mandatory health and safety briefing, and at least one of the walkthroughs.
- It would be really helpful if you were available for at least some of the build and derig days between the 28th April and 1st May.
- On the night, we are first on the hill to set up, while other groups get their paint on.
- Lending a hand with tech whilst also committing to another group is possible and encouraged, especially for the derig on 1st May! Talk to Tech Group Organisers to find out more.
- No financial contribution. You might want to consider buying your own safety boots, but many tasks don’t need safety footwear, and we have a limited number of pairs that can be borrowed.
- Tech aims to be a space where members feel safe to ask questions, can take on as much or as little responsibility as you feel comfortable with, and where we can all learn from each other’s experience.
- Accessibility: Group Practices are not child or pet friendly unfortunately, but talk to us about other accessibility requirements you might have.
Practice schedule
- First practice, Sunday 1st March 2-4pm at Beltonia – 16 East Cromwell St, EH6 6HD. Suggested that you contact us in advance but just turning up is fine too.
- If you can’t make the 1st meeting that’s fine, we’ll email with details of later sessions.
- Subsequent meetings Sunday afternoons likely 2-5pm, but to be confirmed. Contact us to find out more.
Contact: email tech@beltane.org or complete the form
Zephyr (Air Point)
Group Organisers: Hannah Smith (she/her) and Maddie Bromfield (she/her)
zephyr@beltane.org
Photo description: Maddie (flier) and Hannah (base) in a 2-high. Both are wearing grey and smiling, Maddie is holding a set of long grey and white ribbon props.
We are Zephyr, air spirits who dance across the evening sky with acrobatics, ribbons and lights. Looking out from the traditional Air Point towards Arthur’s Seat, observers will frequently be pulled, pushed, or tousled by the wind. We embody all that the wind can be – gentle, flowing, howling, stormy.
Our performance will be intermediate-level acrobatics including tempos and lifts, and so we are seeking people with previous acrobatics experience such as Reds, Obsidian, or acro classes outside of BFS. We will be making long ribbon props to enhance the visualisation of wind currents, and crafting some costuming elements with lights to invoke movement of stars in the sky. We are taking a collaborative approach to choreographing our performance as a group, so would love our members to skill-share and develop together. Do you have a cool skill you’d like to show others? A move you want to work towards? Bring your ideas along and let’s make something wonderful together.
As we are an acrobatics group, unfortunately our rehearsals will not be safe/suitable for children to attend. This is a highly physical group, but please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and we can chat about what accommodations are possible.
- Commitment level:
- Time commitment low (Rehearsing once a week)
- Physical commitment medium-high (we aim to challenge ourselves in acrobatics skills)
- Open Rehearsals (all located on The Meadows between tennis courts and Townswomen’s Guild Walk; what.3.words ///herbs.motion.plus)
- Sunday 22nd February, 1pm-3pm
- Wednesday 25th February, 7pm-9pm
- Sunday 1st March, 1pm-3pm
- Please come prepared for outside weather, movement, and acrobatics at our Open Rehearsals – appropriate shoes and clothing, layers, water and snacks, spare socks, etc.
- Closed rehearsals will be on Sundays 2pm-6pm, on the Meadows or Calton Hill. There may be optional extra costuming/crafting sessions in April.
- Mandatory Away Day – Saturday 4th April in Edinburgh (not overnight camping!)
- Expected financial contribution – £25 for costuming materials
- Email us with any questions at zephyr@beltane.org
Closed Groups
Firearchy
Group Organisers: Iga and Chris
Fire – the primal energy of love, desire, passion, rage, rebellion, destruction and transformation. Every revolution in history has been sparked by this energy and burns in its name. Firearchy is an anarchic collective of punks and rebels who embody this spirit of radical change and blazing authenticity. Chaotic acolytes of fire, we are gatekeepers of the fire arch, letting only the truly authentic pass beyond the veil. We represent the divine fire of passion and transformation. We throw off our masks and societal conditioning into the fire pit, burn it all the f**k down and dance joyfully on the ashes of the old way.
We challenge both ourselves and those we encounter to seek out the inner spark and fan that flame into an infernal conflagration, vaporizing all the metaphysical fluff we slow ourselves down with when we try to fit into all the boxes we never chose. The essential nature of all living beings is wildness, and we are here to remind you of your own power and passions.
Reality is here right now and it’s time to rise up and choose how we want to create it.
Firearchy is a closed group.
Projects
Callhorn
Project Organisers: Danielle Christie (She/Her) and Ross Atkinson (He/Him)
Callhorn is the first sound called out into the night, announcing the beginning of our festival and the May Queens journey around our hill.
Callhorn is a closed project this festival.
Cloaking Devices
Project Organisers: Ann Landmann – cloakingdevices@beltane.org
Everyone loves a cloak! They keep you warm, potentially dry and definitely looking cool and mysterious.
But no everyone has one in their wardrobe, and experience shows that making one A) takes longer than expected and B) is often left quite late as people are swept up in the excitement of the festival.
This is where Project Cloaking Devices comes in!
We’re an informal costuming group that meets a few times in the run-up to the festival. Whether you’re an experienced sewer or embarking on your first make, come along to connect to fellow Beltaners, get tips and tricks or tackle that tricky bit in good company (Hoods! Pockets!).
We’re not limited to making cloaks – we’re here for all your costuming needs, but please note that your Project Organiser Ann has only made two cloaks and one hood (and many, many diaper bags) to date.
We will have informal drop-in sessions on the following dates and times
- Saturday 14th March 1pm to 5pm, venue TBC
- Wednesday 25th March, 7pm to 9pm, Beltonia
- Wednesday 15th April,7pm to 9pm, Beltonia
More sessions may be added.
There should be no financial contribution to come along, however you will need to source your own materials. Make sure to check out the Fabricswap project.
Sign up to our mailing list to keep updated about our meeting dates. We are also looking for people to share their expertise and own makes.
Consent
Project Organisers: Mary Roche – consent@beltane.org
This year I am here with Consent Project primarily as an extra support for our GOs in delivering consent talks and workshops for their groups, however I’m always excited to talk consent and boundaries with anyone!
One of the most valuable things I have encountered within BFS has been the opportunity to experience a community of people who value inclusiveness, mutual respect and social safety. Being in an environment that champions consent, communication and striving to make things better has been such a wonderful by-product for someone who initially showed up just wanting to experience feral joy amongst the Reds! I hope that Consent Project will help our members – both old and new – to experience BFS as a safe and supportive environment where they can continue to build their own skills and understanding around consent and social safety alongside delving into all of the fantastic and exciting things our groups have planned for this festival.
In recent years Beltane Fire Society has had the pleasure of welcoming FLAPS to deliver Consent workshops to some of our members and we will hopefully continue to enjoy more visits from them as part of our Consent Project. Information about FLAPS and the wonderful work they do can be found here: https://www.theflapsproject.com/.
Fabric Share
Project Organisers: Marc Ruadh & Maïlis Marty – fabricshare@beltane.org
The Fabric Share returns! We invite you to donate to us your old costumes, unused fabric, and any other useful bits and pieces you’re willing to share with the rest of the festival. In giving these things back to the community, you give them new life. Ask yourself what you could give to someone else so that they could enjoy it too, and so the fabric could continue to tell its story. Give so that the giving can be your own and not someone else’s.
In using the Fabric Share, you are making a conscious and courageous decision to help reduce the impact of the festival on our planet. By giving what you’ve made and used in a previous festival to the Fabric Share, we establish a collective ownership and cycle of reuse that everyone can benefit from. By taking from the Fabric Share only what you need and intend to use, and subsequently giving back what you are finished with, we all can wander in a forest of generosity.
We currently have two Fabric Share events planned on Monday, the 16th of March and Saturday, the 4th of April, at Beltonia in Leith. Please feel free to come along and donate, browse, collect, or just chat to us.
May Queens’ Footsteps – A Guided Tour
Project Organisers: Hannah McIlhinney – footsteps@beltane.org
In the run up to the festival, we are often so preoccupied with what we are doing in our group sometimes we forget about the bigger picture.
With this in mind, I would like to invite you to come along on a guided tour of the route our May Queens past, present and future take around Calton Hill on Beltane night. During the tour we will chat about the history of our society and stop at various locations on the route to discuss the different aspects of the story that we tell.
This tour will run 2 or 3 times in March/April but not on Beltane night. Dates and times are yet to be decided but will likely be during the weekends. All the tours will discuss the same themes so you need only attend one during the run-up. No financial contribution is required.
All Beltane members are welcome to join, whether this is your first festival or your 30th, we all have stories to share.
If you are interested and would like more information on dates and times, please feel free to sign up here.
Photo credit:
Left – Beltane 2011 Ellen Duffy for Beltane Fire Society
Right top – Beltane 2006 Rob Speed for Beltane Fire Society
Bottom right – Beltane 2025 Dan B for Beltane Fire Society
Radio Training & Practice
Project Organisers: C’tri G
Photo: C’tri failing to hold 4 handheld radios with only 2 hands.
TL:DR; This is for people who want to practice using walkie talkie radios before Beltane night!
Hi!
If you’re afraid of radios, are anxious using them, or just want to practice Radios whilst doing activities: this is for you. This project is open to any member of any group who wants to learn what the buttons do, learn the etiquettes and unspoken rules for speaking on the radio, and some of the why behind how radio communication techniques have evolved, this is for you.
Doesn’t matter if you’re not using radios on the night – curiosity is its own reason to learn.
Perhaps you imagine something a bit dry and boring? Don’t!
Maybe you like Scavenger hunts, visiting the Museum, roving Calton Hill, or perhaps even assembling Lego sets.
This isn’t just standing around learning things (though if that’s all you want, just come for the first bit!)
We’ll be putting what we learn about using radios to immediate practical use, using radios at various public locations as part of non-distruptive silliness, with indoor and outdoor options available depending on the weather.
Why am I doing this though? Because, we should never do anything unrehearsed on Beltane night, and using Radios should be no different. (and I’m a massive Radio nerd who likes sharing.)
We’re having 3 activity days:
Saturday the 7th of March
Saturday the 21st of March
And Saturday the 4th of April
Which should hopefully be compatible with whatever group you’re doing 🙂
Interested? Fill out the form, or email me at radios@beltane.org
Beltane Fire Society 
One of our amazing volunteers has compiled the open rehearsal dates into a Google calendar; if you want to get involved, you can add this to plan your open season:
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y182NzA2YWM5MmEwNjZkNzYxZGJkMTEyMTE2YmMwNWJiNzRhMThiZjdlNDQwZWFlYzBiZjcwYmM3NjJmNzNhZTgxQGdyb3VwLmNhbGVuZGFyLmdvb2dsZS5jb20
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