Burning of the Clavie draws large crowds of Burghead
The New Year has officially begun in Burghead with the village’s spectacular Burning of the Clavie festival.
Thousands turned out tonight to witness the flaming whisky barrel filled with tar paraded through the streets.
The celebrations began at 6pm outside the home of Dan Ralph, the Clavie King.
From there the Clavie Crew took it in turns to carry the burning barrel on their shoulders, stopping along the set route to hand out smoldering pieces which are said to bring good luck throughout the next 12 months.
With the event’s traditional annual date of January 11 falling on a Saturday this year it guaranteed a bumper crowd.
Amongst the happy throng were holidaymakers John and Saffi Hollahan from the town of Dover in the United States.
After the couple rang home to wish their bemused teenage children a Happy New Year, John said: “It’s certainly unique and steeped in a lot of history. People have been saying that the folk here have been doing this for hundreds of years.
“It’s something we’re certainly going to remember from our Scotland trip.”
The Burning of the Clavie does indeed date back many centuries. A document written as long ago as 1750 refers to it as an “ancient custom.
It might even have its origins in pre-Christian times when the village was a large Pictish settlement, but nobody knows for sure.
After being carried around the village the Clavie was brought to Doorie Hill, its final destination and the site of an ancient Pictish fort.
Here, on the raised headland at the end of the village overlooking the waters of the Moray Firth, the flames shot up high into the night sky before the barrel’s remains were rolled down the slope.
Jim McLeod had made the short journey to Burghead from Elgin with his young family.
The computer programmer said: “The evening is all about upholding a tradition rather than making money - and that’s to be applauded. People aren’t trying to cash commercially.”
Also looking on was Melina Lynn from Findhorn who said: “I like the fact that Burghead celebrates New Year twice. Once on Hogmanay and again on January 11.
“Two parties instead of one. What a great idea.”