I was asked by artist Graeme Roger to come and document the Burning of the Clavie in Burghead in Moray held on the 11th of January each year. It was an amazing opportunity to photograph not only the procession through the town, but also into the workshop where the finishing touches to the Clavie are made. The Clavie is a whisky cask cut in half, lined with tar and filled with staves which is lit and carried through the streets.
The final destination of the Clavie is on the Doorie Hill on the ramparts of the ancient fort, where it is firmly wedged and after refuelling is allowed to burn out and fall down the hill when still smouldering embers are eagerly gathered. Possession of a piece of the Clavie is said to bring good luck for the coming year and pieces are sent around the world to exiled ‘Brochers’.