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Calton Hill has become important in the Beltane story over the years and when there was a recent threat to its tranquility in the form of a Millennium bid, the Beltane Fire Society mobilised against it with many people sent in letters complaining to those holding the reins. The bid was turned down ... not just because of Beltane pressure but because the Hill is special in the eyes of those who live in Edinburgh - a wild place, not to become too tamed ... a place of magic, not to be built on like other sites within the city for commercial gain.

Scottish identity as such isn't as important as a recognition of why we live in Scotland and why Edinburgh - knowing why we are where we are! It's less of a rivallry between us and other places, more an understanding that we do Beltane primarily for ourselves - it is important to US as Edinburgh people to do it - it binds us together for the rest of the year ... so we are not that bothered by what goes on elsewhere - well, we are, in terms of, "Can we come and watch" but we don't begrudge anyone doing what we do because every town should have (and used to have in Mediaeval times) a group like ours - it is very healthy.

© Beltane Fire Society