Beltane

Join us for May Day merriment, family activities and creative happenings as we celebrate Beltane 2025. The days are getting longer and warmer, the garden is springing to life, and we can’t wait to revel in the spirit of summer and the fertility of the land. Come along and dance, sing, create and have fun with us!

1-5pm

– Make colourful Matisse-inspired cut paper collages, paper bug headbands and recycled material bugs, with artist Nicki Bradwell.

– Plant a ‘Ring of Fire’ sunflower or make a bird feeder ahead of Sunday’s International Dawn Chorus.

– Make a spring crown from willow and foraged foliage in the garden.

– Tie a ribbon on our big wishing tree and share your dreams for the year ahead.

– Have your face painted with flora and fauna by artist Rio Moore.

– Meet artist Steve Grimmond in the Gardener’s Cottage and view his abstract sculptural pieces, organic creatures and giant insects (Part of Open Studios North Fife).

– Test out our new e-cargo bike before we launch our new community hire scheme, with artist Aaron McCarthy.

– Explore the gardens and woodland.

– Fraser’s Pizza will be dishing out the slices (1-5pm) Fig & Fromage are on coffee and cake (1-5pm), and we’ll have Scooply dropping by with ice cream later in the day (3-5pm).

1.30-2.15pm / 3-3.45pm: Meet some Teeny Weeny friends in the garden with Starcatchers/Shaper Caper. You and your family are invited to join in an interactive, fun-filled workshop, with creativity, storytelling and surprise mini performances along the way.

2.15-2.45pm: Percussion and music making for wee ones and parents with Haystack Monolith (under 7s).

2.45-3.30pm: Create a piece of music to perform in our Beltane parade with Haystack Monolith (recommended 7+).

2.30-3pm: Join storyteller Niall Moorjani for stories of hope, joy and kindness.

3.45-4.15pm: Performance by artist, performer and community artist/musician Haystack Monolith. Recently he has been out on the ocean currents with the jellyfish and is now back, refreshed by tall tales, salty stories and naive narratives.

4.15pm: Adorn your leaf crowns, show off your creations and grab an instrument for our joyful Beltane parade!

4.40pm-5pm: Farewell stories around the fire with Niall Moorjani.

Our event is a nod to the ancient fire ritual of Beltane, one of four festivals we host annually to create connections to the cycles of nature and to celebrate the turning of the Celtic wheel. During Beltane, the energies of the earth are at their most potent, bursting with life and growth. Expect a sprinkle of magic and wonder!