Scotland’s winter fire festivals

Stonehaven swings fireballs, Comrie carries flambeaux and Biggar builds its Hogmanay bonfire. January brings Burghead’s Clavie and Shetland’s fire-festival traditions. The flames may be what draws you, but every community keeps its own date, procession and rules for spectators.

Pick one gathering and build a sensible winter journey around it. A ticket to one part of a festival won’t necessarily get you into its halls or evening events. Check road restrictions, weather advice and your way home with the organiser before you go. The Shetland events need travel planning all of their own; they’re not a quick extra stop after a mainland evening.