The Burning of the Clavie

When the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calendar in the 1750s, 11 days were ‘lost’. Rather than revolt, however, the locals of Burghead (known as Brochers) decided they would simply mark New Year’s Eve twice – once on Hogmanay, and once on the 11th January, in the form of a fire festival. The celebration continues to the present day, and involves a flaming barrel full of staves being paraded around town, followed by a large crowd of merry-makers. When it eventually smoulders out, the embers are gathered up (ideally with care) by the masses, with fragments reportedly still sent as good-luck tokens to Brochers who have moved to other parts of the world.