76-1028: The Manor Hills , also known as the Tweedsmuir Hills , are a range of hills south of Peebles in the Scottish Borders , one of the ranges which collectively form the Southern Uplands . They are separated from the Moffat Hills by the Talla Reservoir , Megget Reservoir and St. Mary's Loch , the Moorfoot Hills by the A72 and the Culter Hills in South Lanarkshire by the A701 . The western portion of
152-410: A bonnet and everyone would take one out while blindfolded. According to one writer, whoever got the marked piece had to leap through the fire three times. According to another, those present pretended to throw the person into the fire and, for some time afterwards, would speak of them as if they were dead. This "may embody a memory of actual human sacrifice ", or it may have always been symbolic. There
228-419: A caudle made from eggs, butter, oatmeal and milk was cooked. Some of the mixture was poured on the ground as a libation . Everyone would then take an oatmeal cake, called a bannoch Bealltainn or "Beltane bannock ", which had nine knobs on it. Each person would face the fire, break off a knob one-by-one and throw it over their shoulder, offering them to the spirits to protect their livestock (one to protect
304-491: A May Bush, branches from blooming thorn trees, or equal-armed rowan crosses. Holy wells may be visited and offerings made to the spirits or deities of the wells. Traditional festival foods may also be prepared. Wiccans use the name Beltane or Beltain for their May Day celebrations. It is one of the yearly Sabbats of their Wheel of the Year , following Ostara and preceding Midsummer . Unlike Celtic Reconstructionism, Wicca
380-399: A May Queen and Green Man , living history displays, reenactor battles, demonstrations of traditional crafts, performances of folk music, and Celtic storytelling. The festival ends with the burning of a 30–40 ft wickerman, with a new historical or folk-inspired design each year. The 1970 recording ' Ride a White Swan ', written and performed by Marc Bolan and his band T.Rex , contains
456-543: A festival, Beltane had largely died out by the mid-20th century, although some of its customs continued and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. In Ireland, Beltane fires were common until the mid-20th century, and has been revived as an annual festival in County Westmeath on the Hill of Uisneach since 2009. It culminates in a torchlit procession by participants in costume, some on horseback, and
532-407: A god named Beil . Keating wrote that two bonfires would be lit in every district of Ireland, and cattle would be driven between them to protect them from disease. There is no reference to such a gathering in the annals , but the medieval Dindsenchas (lore of places) includes a tale of a hero lighting a holy fire on Uisneach that blazed for seven years. Ronald Hutton writes that this may "preserve
608-705: A group of certain people (usually nine men), after they had removed all metal and after all other fires in the area had been doused. Nineteenth-century writers record such fires being kindled at Beltane in the Scottish Highlands, and also in Wales. Its flames were believed to guard against sickness, supernatural harm and witchcraft . In the 19th century, cattle were still driven over flames or between two fires—as described in Sanas Cormaic almost 1000 years before—in parts of Ireland and Scotland. Sometimes
684-596: A petition from the town clerk, William Buchan, who had previously received a letter from A. C. Fox-Davies questioning the burgh's right to use the arms. After the abolition of the old Scottish burghs in 1975, the arms became redundant. In 1988 they were regranted to the Royal Burgh of Peebles and District Community Council, who continue to use the arms today, with the addition of a community council's coronet. The traditional province of Ångermanland in Sweden also has
760-623: A relic of tree worship and wrote: "The intention of these customs is to bring home to the village, and to each house, the blessings which the tree-spirit has in its power to bestow." Emyr Estyn Evans suggests that the May Bush custom may have come to Ireland from England, because it seemed to be found in areas with strong English influence and because the Irish saw it as unlucky to damage certain thorn trees. However, "lucky" and "unlucky" trees varied by region, and it has been suggested that Beltane
836-441: A religious holiday. Neopagans in the southern hemisphere may mark the festival on 1 November. In Old Irish , the name was usually Beltaine or Belltaine . In modern Irish, the festival is usually called Lá Bealtaine ("day of Beltane"), while the month of May is Mí Bhealtaine ("month of Beltane"). In Scottish Gaelic , the festival is Latha Bealltainn . Sometimes the older Scottish Gaelic spelling Bealltuinn
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#1732786730359912-522: A section of lower hills east of the B709 road as well as some isolated hills throughout. The highest point of the range is Broad Law , which is also the highest point in the historic county of Peeblesshire . The hills contain five Marilyns and thirteen Donalds , of which there is one Graham and one Corbett . In a roughly clockwise direction, the hills in the range over 2000 ft (excluding tops) are as follows: The Southern Upland Way passes through
988-489: A tradition of Beltane ceremonies there", but adds "Keating or his source may simply have conflated this legend with the information in Sanas Chormaic to produce a piece of pseudo-history". Nevertheless, excavations at Uisneach in the 20th century found evidence of large fires and charred bones, and showed it to have been a place of ritual since ancient times. Evidence suggests it was "a sanctuary-site, in which fire
1064-579: A very similar coat of arms, but with a blue background. Peebles lies at the confluence of the River Tweed and Eddleston Water (locally called "the Cuddy"). The Tweed flows west to east, and the Eddleston flows from the north, turning to flow southwest 300 yd (270 m) before the confluence. This south-westerly turn demarcates a raised triangular piece of land, open to the east but contained by
1140-629: Is a modern celebration of summer's beginning which draws on many influences. The performance art event involves fire dances and a procession by costumed performers, led by the May Queen and the Green Man , culminating in the lighting of a bonfire. Butser Ancient Farm, an open-air archaeology museum in Hampshire, England, has also held a Beltane festival since the 1980s. The festival mixes historical reenactment with folk influences, and features
1216-701: Is called Latha Bealltainn ( [l̪ˠaː ˈpjaul̪ˠt̪ɪɲ] ), and in Manx Gaelic Laa Boaltinn / Boaldyn . Beltane is one of the four main Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Samhain , Imbolc , and Lughnasadh —and is similar to the Welsh Calan Mai . Beltane is mentioned in the earliest Irish literature and is associated with important events in Irish mythology . Also known as Cétshamhain ('first of summer'), it marked
1292-656: Is called the Chambers Institution , being deeded to the town by William Chambers , a member of the Chambers publishing family who originated in the town. Chambers' house can be found on the oldest street in Peebles – Biggiesknowe. Peebles tolbooth, the civic centre of the medieval burgh, is the only medieval tolbooth site in Scotland to have been excavated by archaeologists. Peebles is no longer connected to
1368-493: Is likely that such flowers were used because they evoked fire. Similar May Day customs are found across Europe. The May Bush or May Bough was popular in parts of Ireland until the late 19th century. This was a small tree or branch—typically hawthorn, rowan, holly or sycamore—decorated with bright flowers, ribbons, painted shells or eggshells from Easter Sunday, and so forth. The tree would either be decorated where it stood, or branches would be decorated and placed inside or outside
1444-572: Is proposed to derive from a proto-Celtic * belo-te(p)niâ , meaning 'bright fire'. The element * belo- might be cognate with the English word bale (as in bale-fire ) meaning 'white', 'bright' or 'shining'. The absence of syncope (Irish sound laws rather predict a ** Beltne form) can be explained by the popular belief that Beltaine was a compound of the word for 'fire', tene . There are place names in Ireland containing
1520-570: Is the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice . Historically, it was widely observed in Ireland , Scotland , and the Isle of Man . In Ireland, the name for the festival in both Irish and English is Bealtaine ( [l̪ˠaː ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠənʲə] ). In Scottish Gaelic it
1596-546: Is the location of Robert Noble along with its sister company Replin Fabrics. The arms of the Royal Burgh of Peebles feature three salmon on a red field. The heraldic blazon is: Gules, three salmons counter-naiant in pale proper . The motto is Contra Nando Incrementum , Latin for "There is growth by swimming against the stream", referring to the annual migration of salmon up the River Tweed in order to breed. The one salmon facing forwards and two facing backwards represent
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#17327867303591672-573: Is the name of a stream joining the River Galey in County Limerick . Beltane was one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals: Samhain (1 November), Imbolc (1 February), Beltane (1 May), and Lughnasadh (1 August). Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures . Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved
1748-436: Is used. The term Latha Buidhe Bealltainn (Scottish) or Lá Buidhe Bealtaine (Irish), "the bright or yellow day of Beltane", means the first of May. In Ireland it is referred to in a common folk tale as Luan Lae Bealtaine ; the first day of the week (Monday/ Luan ) is added to highlight the first day of summer. The name is anglicised as Beltane, Beltain, Beltaine, Beltine and Beltany. Another Old Irish name for
1824-554: The Old Parish Church of Peebles and Neidpath Castle . Other local attractions include a museum and the Kailzie Gardens. Peebles has won multiple awards for the range of shops on its High Street. The oldest building in Peebles is the tower of St Andrew's Church. The church was founded in 1195. It was destroyed (along with many other Borders abbeys and priories ) by the soldiers of Henry VIII . The stones of
1900-675: The Scottish Gaelic song Am Beannachadh Bealltain ("The Beltane Blessing") in his Carmina Gadelica , which he heard from a crofter in South Uist . The first two verses were sung as follows: Beannaich, a Thrianailt fhioir nach gann, (Bless, O Threefold true and bountiful,) Mi fein, mo cheile agus mo chlann, (Myself, my spouse and my children,) Mo chlann mhaoth's am mathair chaomh 'n an ceann, (My tender children and their beloved mother at their head,) Air chlar chubhr nan raon, air airidh chaon nam beann, (On
1976-511: The county town of Peeblesshire . According to the 2011 census , the population was 8,376 and the estimated population in June 2018 was 9,000. Initially, a market town , Peebles played a role in the woollen industry of the Borders during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Most mills had closed by the 1960s, although the last one remained open until 2015. The character of Peebles has changed;
2052-399: The "symbolic use of fire". There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth. The aos sí (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain), and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them. Most scholars see the aos sí as remnants of the pagan gods and nature spirits. Beltane
2128-551: The Beltane Festival, Peebles Arts Festival, Tweedlove Bike Festival, and Imaginarium. Peebles is a popular centre for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. It is the eastern terminus of the John Buchan Way , a 22-kilometre (14 mi) walking route which runs between Peebles and Broughton . The Cross Borders Drove Road , an 82-kilometre (51 mi) route between Hawick and Little Vantage, also passes through
2204-507: The Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí . Doors, windows, byres and livestock would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush: typically a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers, ribbons, bright shells and rushlights. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew
2280-571: The Eddleston Water was crossed to the north of town), and Ludgate (the western gate of the town), now called Young Street. At the junction of Eastgate and Northgate roads, where the Eastgate becomes High Street, is an ancient market cross. The present-day market is held in a car park adjacent to the site of the former railway station, at the north and south ends of which are the remains of the town wall. Peebles High Street runs parallel with
2356-415: The May Bush, and at the end of the festivities it may be burnt in the bonfire. In some areas the May Bush or Bough has also been called the "May Pole", but it is the bush or tree described above, and not the more commonly-known European maypole . Thorn trees are traditionally seen as special trees, associated with the aos sí . Frazer believed the customs of decorating trees or poles in springtime are
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2432-899: The Northern Hemisphere and 31 October – 1 November in the Southern Hemisphere, beginning and ending at sunset. Some Neopagans celebrate it at the astronomical midpoint between the spring equinox and summer solstice (or the full moon nearest this point). In the Northern Hemisphere, this midpoint is when the ecliptic longitude of the Sun reaches 45 degrees. Celtic Reconstructionists strive to reconstruct ancient Celtic religion . Their religious practices are based on research and historical accounts, but modified to suit modern life. They avoid syncretism and eclecticism (i.e. combining practises from unrelated cultures). Celtic Reconstructionists usually celebrate Beltane when
2508-506: The Sun and "ensure a needful supply of sunshine for men, animals, and plants", as well as to symbolically "burn up and destroy all harmful influences". Food was also cooked at the bonfire and there were rituals involving it. In the Scottish Highlands, Alexander Carmichael recorded that there was a feast featuring lamb, and that formerly this lamb was sacrificed . In 1769, Thomas Pennant wrote of Beltane bonfires in Perthshire , where
2584-699: The Tweed along the spine of a ridge, at the west end of which is the parish church. In 2014 Creative Scotland named Peebles the most creative place of its size in Scotland, presenting the town with a Creative Place Award and £100,000 to enhance arts events, festivals, and arts commissions. Most arts performances take place in the Eastgate Theatre on the High Street which has a year-round programme of music, drama, dance, talks, and classes for children and adults. The town also has four major annual festivals –
2660-444: The beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect cattle, people and crops, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, whose flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from
2736-464: The cattle between them. This text also mentions Belltaine in relation to the Idol God Bil from Bial in which 'a fire was kindled in his name at the beginning of summer always, and cattle were driven between the two fires'. According to 17th-century historian Geoffrey Keating , there was a great gathering at the hill of Uisneach each Beltane in medieval Ireland, where a sacrifice was made to
2812-478: The cattle would be driven around a bonfire or be made to leap over flames or embers. The people themselves did likewise for good luck and protection. On the Isle of Man, people ensured that the smoke blew over them and their cattle. When the bonfire died down, people would daub themselves with its ashes and sprinkle it over their crops and livestock. Burning torches from the bonfire would be taken home, carried around
2888-600: The cross, culminates with the crowning of the Beltane Queen (a girl chosen from one of three local primary schools ) along with her court, including the likes of the First and Second Courtiers, Sword Bearer and Standard Bearer; on the steps in front of the parish church. The adult principal of the festival is the Cornet , a local young man chosen by the organizing committee on a basis of being considered worthy of representing
2964-539: The custom of decorating the May Bush also survives. The town of Peebles in the Scottish Borders holds a traditional week-long Beltane Fair every year in June, when a local girl is crowned Beltane Queen on the steps of the parish church. Like other Borders festivals, it incorporates a Common Riding . Since 1988, a Beltane Fire Festival has been held every year on the night of 30 April on Calton Hill in Edinburgh, Scotland. While inspired by traditional Beltane, it
3040-468: The eastern end of the range, coming close to the summit of Minch Moor; this is the second highest point of the route after the Lowther Hills . 55°34′36″N 3°11′46″W / 55.5767°N 3.1960°W / 55.5767; -3.1960 Peebles Peebles ( Scottish Gaelic : Na Pùballan ) is a town in the Scottish Borders , Scotland. It was historically a royal burgh and
3116-438: The fact that for every salmon that goes up the river, two come back to the sea. The arms are very old, first appearing on the town's mercat cross , which was built sometime before 1320. Originally the colours were not standardised, the background variously appearing as blue, green or red. The last seems to have been most common, and it was red that was chosen when the arms were formally granted by Lord Lyon in 1894, following
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3192-522: The festival has pastoral origins. The earliest mention of Beltane is in Old Irish literature from Gaelic Ireland . According to the early medieval texts Sanas Cormaic written by Cormac mac Cuilennáin and Tochmarc Emire , Belltaine 'May-day' i.e. bil-tene i.e. lucky fire was held on 1 May and marked the beginning of summer. The texts say that, to protect cattle from disease, druids would make two fires "with great incantations" and drive
3268-539: The festival was Cétshamain or Cétamain , probably meaning 'first of summer'. Ó Duinnín 's Irish dictionary (1904) gives this as Céadamhain or Céadamh in modern Irish. It survives in the Scottish Gaelic name for the month of May, An Cèitean , and matches the Welsh Cyntefin . These have all been derived from proto-Celtic * kentu-samonyos (first + summer). Beltane
3344-453: The first well water, and the herb vervain (or rowan as a substitute). The procession generally stopped at the four cardinal points of the compass, beginning in the east, and rituals were performed in each of the four directions". People made the sign of the cross with milk for good luck on Beltane, and the sign of the cross was also made on the backsides of cattle. In the 19th century, folklorist Alexander Carmichael (1832–1912), collected
3420-766: The fragrant plain, at the gay mountain sheiling,) Air chlar chubhr nan raon, air airidh chaon nam beann. (On the fragrant plain, at the gay mountain sheiling.) Gach ni na m' fhardaich, no ta 'na m' shealbh, (Everything within my dwelling or in my possession,) Gach buar is barr, gach tan is tealbh, (All kine and crops, all flocks and corn,) Bho Oidhche Shamhna chon Oidhche Bheallt, (From Hallow Eve to Beltane Eve,) Piseach maith, agus beannachd mallt, (With goodly progress and gentle blessing,) Bho mhuir, gu muir, agus bun gach allt, (From sea to sea, and every river mouth,) Bho thonn gu tonn, agus bonn gach steallt. (From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.) Holy wells were often visited at Beltane, and at
3496-498: The hills are designated as the 'Tweedsmuir Hills' Site of Special Scientific Interest and the ' Upper Tweeddale ' National Scenic Area , with the major tributary rivers designated as Special Areas of Conservation . A broad area, the higher hills could be said to generally split into three sections: those directly south of Peebles, those north of the Megget Reservoir and those southeast of Drumelzier . There is, however,
3572-408: The horses, one to protect the sheep, and so forth) and to the predators that might harm their livestock (one to the fox, one to the eagle, and so forth). Afterwards, they would drink the caudle. According to 18th-century writers, in parts of Scotland there was another ritual involving the Beltane bannock. The cake would be cut and one of the slices marked with charcoal. The slices would then be put in
3648-492: The house (particularly above windows and doors, on the roof, and on barns). It was generally the responsibility of the oldest person of the house to decorate the May Bush, and the tree would remain up until 31 May. The tree would also be decorated with candles or rushlights . Sometimes a May Bush would be paraded through the town. In parts of southern Ireland, gold and silver hurling balls known as May Balls would be hung on these May Bushes and handed out to children or given to
3724-463: The house or boundary of the farmstead, and used to re-light the hearth. From these rituals, it is clear that the fire was seen as having protective powers . Similar rituals were part of May Day or Midsummer customs in some other parts of the British Isles and mainland Europe. Frazer believed the fire rituals are a kind of imitative or sympathetic magic . He suggests they were meant to mimic
3800-877: The largest secondary school in the Borders, Peebles High School , which is attended by pupils from all over Tweeddale. In 2005, a study by the New Economics Foundation ranked Peebles as the best town in Scotland (second best in the UK, after Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire ) for a range of independent shops and 'home town identity'. The local health facility is Hay Lodge Hospital in Neidpath Road. Beltane Bealtaine (anglicised as ' Beltane ') ( / ˈ b ɛ l . t eɪ n / ; Irish pronunciation: [ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠəʲnə] , approximately / ˈ b ( j ) ɒ l t ɪ n ə / B(Y)OL -tin-ə )
3876-474: The lighting of a large bonfire at dusk. In 2017, the ceremonial fire was lit by the President of Ireland , Michael D Higgins . The lighting of a community Beltane fire from which each hearth fire is then relit is observed today in some parts of the Gaelic diaspora , though in most of these cases it is a cultural revival rather than an unbroken survival of the ancient tradition. In parts of Newfoundland,
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#17327867303593952-524: The line "Ride a white Swan like the people of the Beltane". Beltane and Beltane-based festivals are held by some Neopagans . As there are many kinds of Neopaganism, their Beltane celebrations can be very different despite the shared name. Some try to emulate the historic festival as much as possible. Other Neopagans base their celebrations on many sources, the Gaelic festival being only one of them. Neopagans usually celebrate Beltane on 30 April – 1 May in
4028-403: The local hawthorn trees are in bloom. Many observe the traditional bonfire rites, to whatever extent this is feasible where they live. This may involve passing themselves and their pets or livestock between two bonfires, and bringing home a candle lit from the bonfire. If they are unable to make a bonfire or attend a bonfire ceremony, candles may be used instead. They may decorate their homes with
4104-480: The mid 20th century, many accounts of Beltane customs were recorded by folklorists and other writers. For example John Jamieson , in his Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language (1808), describes some of the Beltane customs which persisted in the 18th and early 19th centuries in parts of Scotland, which he noted were beginning to die out. Bonfires continued to be a key part of the festival in
4180-471: The modern era. All hearth fires would be doused before the bonfire was lit, generally on a hill. Ronald Hutton writes that "To increase the potency of the holy flames, in Britain at least they were often kindled by the most primitive of all means, of friction between wood." This is known as a need-fire , or tein' èiginn in Gaelic. It was a sacred fire that could be kindled only with a wooden drill , by
4256-469: The neighbour's cow. In Ireland, cattle would be brought to ' fairy forts ', where a small amount of their blood would be collected. The owners would then pour it into the earth with prayers for the herd's safety. Sometimes the blood would be left to dry and then be burnt. To protect farm produce and encourage fertility, farmers would lead a procession around the boundaries of their farm. They would "carry with them seeds of grain, implements of husbandry,
4332-405: The next year. Also, if the family owned a white horse, it should remain in the barn all day, and if any other horse was owned, a red rag should be tied to its tail. Any foal born on May Day was fated to kill a man, and any cow that calved on May Day would die. Any birth or marriage on May Day was generally believed to be ill-fated. On May Night a cake and a jug were left on the table, because it
4408-407: The other Gaelic festivals of Imbolc and Lughnasadh. Visitors to holy wells would pray for health while walking sunwise (moving from east to west) around the well. They would then leave offerings; typically coins or clooties (see clootie well ). The first water drawn from a well on Beltane was thought to be especially potent, and would bring good luck to the person who drew it. Beltane morning dew
4484-524: The railway network. In years past, the Symington, Biggar and Broughton Railway had lines that connected Peebles to Edinburgh and Galashiels , with a goods station and Peebles and Peebles West stations. A connection to Edinburgh is maintained by Borders Buses service X62. Historically Peebles and the Scottish borders have been the location of many textile businesses. Still today, March Street Mills
4560-551: The rivers to the south and north. The name is generally accepted to come from the Brythonic pebyll tents, signifying a temporary settlement. From around 1570, the eastern side was defended by a town wall, which ran in an east-facing arc, through which the road to Glentress passed at the East Gate. The road passing through this gate, the Eastgate, is one of four gates in Peebles, the others being Northgate, Bridgegate (where
4636-557: The ruins were pilfered for many other local buildings leaving only the tower standing amongst the gravestones of the churchyard. Another ancient church in the town is the Cross Kirk, founded in 1261. Although now mainly ruins, the Cross Kirk plays a prominent part in the local festival. The annual local festival in Peebles is called the Beltane , and involves (as with many Borders festivals) a Common Riding . The Beltane, proclaimed at
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#17327867303594712-418: The tails of cattle to ensure the cattle's milk was not stolen, or three black coals might be placed under a butter churn to ensure the fairies did not steal the butter. Food was left or milk poured at the doorstep or places associated with the aos sí , such as 'fairy trees', as an offering. However, milk was never given to a neighbour on May Day because it was feared that the milk would be transferred to
4788-462: The town serves as home to many people who commute to work in Edinburgh , as well as being a popular tourist destination, especially in the summer. In the mid-to-late 19th century health tourism flourished, centring on hydropathic establishments , which over time morphed into a hotel format, with Peebles Hydro Hotel being one of the few survivors of that era. Notable buildings in the town include
4864-400: The town, who then carries the town standard for a year. To the west of the town is Neidpath Castle , which can be reached on foot through Hay Lodge Park; the route has views of the castle. The castle is now closed to the public. On the south side of the High Street are the old burgh offices. These incorporate the town's library, art gallery, and local museum. The building occupied by these
4940-634: The town. The town is home to two long-established Scottish senior sporting clubs. Peebles Rovers F.C. provides Peebles with a senior Football team in the East of Scotland Football League , meanwhile Peebles RFC currently represent the town in Scottish National League Division Two in the Scottish Rugby pyramid system. Peebles has an 18-hole golf course located at the upper end of Kirkland Street. The golf club
5016-464: The winners of a hurling match. In Dublin and Belfast , May Bushes were brought into town from the countryside and decorated by the whole neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood vied for the most handsome tree and, sometimes, residents of one would try to steal the May Bush of another. This led to the May Bush being outlawed in Victorian times . In some places, it was customary to sing and dance around
5092-743: The word Bealtaine , indicating places where Beltane festivities were once held. It is often anglicised as Beltany . There are three Beltanys in County Donegal , including the Beltany stone circle , and two in County Tyrone . In County Armagh there is a place called Tamnaghvelton / Tamhnach Bhealtaine ('the Beltane field'). Lisbalting/ Lios Bealtaine ('the Beltane ringfort ') is in County Tipperary , while Glasheennabaultina/ Glaisín na Bealtaine ('the Beltane stream')
5168-683: Was a "spring time festival of optimism" during which "fertility ritual again was important, perhaps connecting with the waxing power of the sun". Beltane (the beginning of summer) and Samhain (the beginning of winter) are thought to have been the most important of the four Celtic festivals. Sir James George Frazer wrote in The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion that the times of Beltane and Samhain are of little importance to European crop-growers, but of great importance to herdsmen practising seasonal transhumance . Thus, he suggests that
5244-409: Was also thought that a man who washed his face with soap and water on Beltane will grow long whiskers on his face. It was widely believed that no one should light a fire on May Day morning until they saw smoke rising from a neighbour's house. It was also believed to be bad luck to put out ashes or clothes on May Day, and to give away coal or ashes would cause the giver difficulty in lighting fires for
5320-405: Was also thought to bring good luck and health. At dawn or before sunrise on Beltane, maidens would roll in the dew or wash their faces with it. The dew was collected in a jar, left in sunlight, then filtered. The dew was thought to increase sexual attractiveness, maintain youthfulness, protect from sun damage (particularly freckles and sunburn) and help with skin ailments for the ensuing year. It
5396-651: Was an almost identical May Day ( Calan Mai ) tradition in parts of Wales, and mock-burnings were part of spring and summer bonfire festivals in other parts of Europe. Yellow and white flowers such as primrose , rowan , hawthorn , gorse , hazel , and marsh marigold were traditionally placed at doorways and windows; this is documented in 19th century Ireland, Scotland and Mann. Sometimes loose flowers were strewn at doors and windows and sometimes they were made into bouquets , garlands or crosses and fastened to them. Cows would also be decorated with them, and they would be fastened to equipment for milking and butter making. It
5472-409: Was believed that the Irish who had died abroad would return on May Day to their ancestral homes, and it was also believed that the dead returned on May Day to visit their friends. A robin that flew into the house on Beltane was believed to portend the death of a household member. The festival persisted widely up until the 1950s, and in some places the celebration of Beltane continues today. As
5548-496: Was formerly owned and run by the local council before being taken over and run by its own members. Peebles has three primary schools: Kingsland (now relocated to Neidpath Road from its original position on Rosetta Road), Priorsford, and the Roman Catholic Halyrude Primary School (now relocated from Elcho Street to the former Kingsland primary school building on Rosetta road ). Peebles also has
5624-522: Was kept burning perpetually, or kindled at frequent intervals", where animal sacrifices were offered. Beltane is also mentioned in medieval Scottish literature. An early reference is found in the poem 'Peblis to the Play', contained in the Maitland Manuscripts of 15th- and 16th-century Scots poetry, which describes the celebration in the town of Peebles . From the late 18th century to
5700-724: Was the only time when cutting thorn trees was allowed. The practice of bedecking a May Bush with flowers, ribbons, garlands and bright shells is found among the Gaelic diaspora, most notably in Newfoundland , and in some Easter traditions on the East Coast of the United States . Many Beltane practices were designed to ward off or appease the aos sí (often referred to as the fairies) and prevent them from stealing dairy products, which were thought to be especially at risk. For example, May flowers were tied to milk pails or
5776-411: Was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in parts of Great Britain and Europe. Public celebrations of Beltane fell out of popularity by the 20th century, though some customs continue to be revived as local cultural events. Since the late 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed a festival based on Beltane as
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