In Edinburgh half a century ago, May Day was marked in a number of ways across the city.
Arthur’s Seat was the centre of celebrations, with crowds attending a religious service taking place at the summit each year.
Meanwhile, tradition says that if you get up early and wash your face in the morning dew on on Arthur’s Seat on May Day you will benefit from a flawless complexion for the rest of the year.
The practice still takes place to a lesser extent today, but 50 years ago it saw scores of young women make the ascent at first light.
Processions would often take place on Princes Street, while the day was also popular with campaigners looking for publicity for their cause.
More recently the Beltane Fire Festival has held on the evening of May eve and into the early hours of May Day on the city's Calton Hill.
Here are 20 pictures to take you back to May Day in Edinburgh over half a century ago.
Meanwhile, tradition says that if you get up early and wash your face in the morning dew on on Arthur’s Seat on May Day you will benefit from a flawless complexion for the rest of the year.
![Frank Collins addresses the Miners' May Day Rally in Holyrood Park in 1959.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjRlYzE2NjczLTNjMDEtNDU3OS1hZGYzLTFjNjRjOGRjNGM4NTo2MDhkYWExMi0xMmJmLTQ5ZmYtYjliNy01YTg0ZjYzOTExYTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
17. taking a stand
Frank Collins addresses the Miners' May Day Rally in Holyrood Park in 1959. Photo: Unknown
![Reverend Dr Selby Wright uses a megaphone to conduct a May Day service on top of Arthur's Seat in 1966.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdmMTQ3MGQ1LTQ3MmYtNDUwMC1iNWYyLTA5NjczMGVhZmE5ZDo5NGZlYjNlOC00NzFiLTRjMTgtYTczMC1lZTdkMTBkNmVlY2Y=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
18. High service
Reverend Dr Selby Wright uses a megaphone to conduct a May Day service on top of Arthur's Seat in 1966. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood
![Edinburgh residents on their way down Arthur's Seat after the Mayday Sunrise Service in 1966.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg2MDFlMDZkLWRiZDQtNDFhYS1hMDFjLTkzYjE4Nzc0MDY0OTplNjFjZGIwNy1kYTE2LTQ0YmItYmZjZi03NTNiNzM1YmIyOGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
19. On the way down
Edinburgh residents on their way down Arthur's Seat after the Mayday Sunrise Service in 1966. Photo: Unknown
![The May Day procession travels along Princes Street in 1966.](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmZkOTEzZDU1LWFhZjQtNGYyMS05NWYxLTE0NzQ0MDU3YWRjMjowZjhhZjVjZS05MTQ5LTRiMDItYjEwMy0yMTkwMWQyMDJlODY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
20. We may march
The May Day procession travels along Princes Street in 1966. Photo: Dick Ewart