Pictish Fire Festival:
All over the world, people have worshipped fire. In ancient Scotland, with its dark and cold winter nights, fire was even more important – so many fire festivals survive here. The tribe who lived in Burghead in the north east of Scotland were the Picts and it seems likely that the Burning of the Clavie was a Pictish Festival – 2,000 years old. We visit the town of Burghead in the north east of Scotland, where – on 11th January - the local people still celebrate the Pictish tradition of 'burning the Clavie'. The men of the town carry the Clavie – a dangerous burning barrel of flaming tar - round the town. It's finally set up on the Dourie Hill and burns fiercely all night. Then the local people celebrate New Year – 11 days late.
All over the world, people have worshipped fire. In ancient Scotland, with its dark and cold winter nights, fire was even more important – so many fire festivals survive here. The tribe who lived in Burghead in the north east of Scotland were the Picts and it seems likely that the Burning of the Clavie was a Pictish Festival – 2,000 years old. We visit the town of Burghead in the north east of Scotland, where – on 11th January - the local people still celebrate the Pictish tradition of 'burning the Clavie'. The men of the town carry the Clavie – a dangerous burning barrel of flaming tar - round the town. It's finally set up on the Dourie Hill and burns fiercely all night. Then the local people celebrate New Year – 11 days late.
