Up Helly Aa
It’s been in our heads to visit Shetland for Up Helly Aa for a wee while and this year we managed to do it. Up Helly Aa is a fire festival which celebrates Shetland’s Viking heritage while also being a very good excuse for a lot of alcohol to be consumed and for grown men to dress up and burn a big boat. It is very good fun indeed!
Start of morning procession through Lerwick
Morning procession through Lerwick
Guizer member of the Jarl Squad
Jarl Squad helmet detail
The Jarl Squad aboard the doomed galley
Member of the Jarl Squad
Jarl Squad Axe
A little Viking
Jarl proclamation Header
Jarl proclamation at Lerwick Market Cross
The doomed ship
Shields adorned the side of the galley
Snake detail
The seemingly neverending procession of guizers on King Harald Street
The burning begins
The flames grow higher
Fireworks greeted the flames
The ship engulfed
We had an absolute blast, though we did get a little wet. The ferry back was more than a little choppy as well but it worth it. I will try and post some pictures of the evenings shenanigans when I get a chance too, the squads all visit the halls to perform their ‘skit’ before moving on and there were some interesting costumes!
