More than 6,000 people gathered at Holyrood Park to take part in the annual Samhuinn Fire Festival on Thursday night.

The festival also had a waiting list of a further 1,400 people who wanted to attend but were unable to do so.

The festival is part of an ancient Celtic tradition that celebrates the end of summer and start of winter, inspired by the Celtic tales of the turning of the wheel.

It recreates epic battles between the Summer and Winter queens and how they unfolded as The Cailleach prepared for the transition into winter.

The festival took place at Holyrood Park in the centre of Edinburgh with thousands coming together to watch the festival despite the worsening weather conditions, with the wind causing some problems.

The festival took place at Holyrood ParkThe festival took place at Holyrood Park (Image: PA Wire) The festival took place at Holyrood ParkThe festival took place at Holyrood Park (Image: PA Wire)

It didn’t stop the flames from burning though and the park was lit up as part of the festival with it being deemed a huge success by organisers from Beltane Fire Society.

Jenny Bloom, Chair of Beltane Fire Society, said: “For thousands of witnesses, and our community of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, last night’s Samhuinn Fire Festival joyfully marked the change of the seasons.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to the summer - but what better way to welcome the Scottish Winter than a night of crashing drums and clashing swords!”

The modern Samhuinn Fire Festival has been running since 1988 and is the autumn and winter counterpart to Beltane Fire Festival, which is held at Calton Hill on 30th April. The events are immersive experiences, which involve modern re-imaginings of ancient Celtic festivals to mark the turning seasons, and the turning of the wheel.

The Beltane Fire Society is a charity run by volunteers, dedicated to marking the fire festivals of the ancient Celtic calendar and keeping traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.

The festival took place at Holyrood ParkThe festival took place at Holyrood Park (Image: PA Wire) The festival took place at Holyrood ParkThe festival took place at Holyrood Park (Image: PA Wire)