One of the most unique events on the Moray annual calendar takes place next week.
The Burning of the Clavie is Burghead’s annual celebration of New Year and usually draws huge crowds to the coastal town.
An ancient ritual, long-standing members of the local community, called the Clavie Crew, carry a flaming barrel full of staves around Burghead.
Its final destination is Doorie Hill, on the ramparts of the town’s ancient fort, where it is fuelled and burns into the night.
Possession of a piece of the Clavie is said to bring good luck for the coming year, and members of the Clavie Crew pass out parts of it on the walk around Burghead.
The tradition takes place on January 11 each year, as that is when Hogmanay is on the ancient Julian calendar.
The Burning of the Clavie 2015 – photos taken tonight.
Every year on Old New Year's Eve – January 11th (or the 10th if the 11th is a Sunday) the Burning of the Clavie fire festival takes place at Burghead on the Moray coast. pic.twitter.com/Vs5rDazG7f— walkhighlands (@walkhighlands) January 11, 2018
An ancient pagan ceremony, it is always a well-attended event, with thousands of people flocking to the fishing town to watch what is one of the most unique and eye-opening fire festivals in existence.
The celebration gets underway at 6pm on Granary Street.