Burning the Circle sure to be a fiery spectacle

Archaeologists, rangers and volunteers have been hard at work creating prehistoric timber structures which will be the centrepiece of this weekend’s Burning the Circle prehistoric fire festival.

The free event, which takes place in the National Trust for Scotland’s Brodick Castle grounds – high in the hilltops overlooking Brodick Bay – is guaranteed to be spectacular and dramatic, according to organisers.

The Burning the Circle event is a combination of experimental archaeology and live performance with dynamic sound and light and guest performers. Naturally, the Burning the Circle festival will feature a huge fire which archaeologist Dr Gavin Macgregor of the York Archaeological Trust described as ‘a special moment for people which will transport them back in time to 5,000 years ago’.

Dr Macgregor added: ‘The structures which we have created are based upon those found at Machrie Moor, which is a site just as important and compelling as those found throughout the United Kingdom and deserving of further investigation.

‘The hard work undertaken by the National Trust rangers and volunteers over the past week will ensure an enjoyable, educational and memorable event for all visitors.’

Another archaeologist on the team creating the prehistoric replica, Dr Kenneth Brophy from the University of Glasgow, said: ‘One of the best ways to understand what it was like to live in prehistory is to get out there and do prehistoric stuff. Our third Burning the Circle festival in Arran will be our biggest yet, and we hope those who get involved will learn more about Neolithic and Bronze Age life, but also witness a memorable and spectacular fire festival.’

Usually the Burning the Circle fire festival is shrouded in secrecy until the actual day. However, the Banner can reveal that two of the many events planned for the festival will include a visually appealing display of a Bronze Age sword casting and pottery firing, and a deliberately dramatic and memorable build up to the huge fire being lit.

The performance aspect of the proceedings will allow for the stories of prehistoric lives, rituals and funerary ceremonies to be told. As darkness falls, a shaman figure will take control of the proceedings and a big fire will be lit. As well as being entertaining and even powerful, the building and burning will also serve another role – experimental archaeology – to try to help explain some of the evidence for fires and burning of wooden buildings, monuments and pyres that are commonly found in the archaeological record.

The Burning the Circle festival will take place tonight (Saturday) and anyone interested in attending this free fiery spectacular is urged to meet at the Brodick Castle Rangers Centre at 7.15pm for a short presentation or at the signposted timber circle at 7.45pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring suitable shoes/boots and a flashlight.

01_B38burn02 Clockwise from above: NTS Thistle camp volunteers and NTS rangers, along with archaeologists, have been hard at work creating a prehistoric timber structure in the Brodick hills. 01_B38burn03; Archaeologist and artist David Aitcheson works on a miniature replica of the Machrie Moor timber circle as part of a small demonstration of experimental art.01_B38burn01; Dr Kenneth Brophy joins NTS volunteers to dig post holes for the timber structure.