It’s a unique event which ignites the skies in darkest January and dates back more than 1800 years.
And now, following a recent BBC programme and the fact the traditional Moray fire festival occurs on a Saturday this year, Burghead’s Burning of the Clavie crew are expecting more spectators than usual next month.
They will carry out the Burning of the Clavie just as their ancestors did before them -when Burghead used to be the epicentre of the ancient Pictish kingdom – on January 11.
Despite interest being piqued in the annual celebration of the village’s fascinating heritage after the BBC screened a ‘Hidden Lives’ special on the event, its participants are not interested in appealing to entertain a crowd.
Instead, they are focused on following the tradition of their ancestors by enacting the Burning of the Clavie exactly as “Brochers” – Burghead natives – have for centuries.
Clavie King Dan Ralph said: “It’s a very local tradition that is an interesting spectacle to watch, but we don’t do it for the purpose of attracting crowds – we are only moved by the need to uphold the ancient tradition in its purest form.
“You could say that we are under orders from our ancestors to do it properly and we take great pride in not allowing anything to change.”
Mr Ralph, now 71, attended his first Burning of the Clavie in his mother’s arms at two-months old before becoming Clavie King in 1988.
He believes it is important that the tradition remains independent of outside influences to maintain Burghead’s history.
The event marks the ancient Scots Hogmanay which was on January 11 before the Gregorian calendar was enforced across the United Kingdom in the 18th century.
It involves a 100kg barrel, the Clavie, which is filled with wood and tar before being mounted on a post.
The flaming barrel is then carried through the streets of Burghead by the crew towards Doorie Hill, where the flames are ignited once again.
Villagers scramble to obtain a piece of burnt Clavie wood as they believe it will bring them good luck in the new year, with Mr Ralph adding: “Believe me, it works.”
A post-Clavie celebration is to be held for the first time in six years at Burghead Community Hall this year.
A local ceilidh band will perform traditional Scottish songs at the dance and proceeds will go towards the crew’s expenses such as fuel and the team of medics on hand.