Father Christmas in Shetland

The days in Shetland are now drawing out although its been mainly cloudy recently so we haven't seen much benefit

There is still much debate with the Shetland Fishing fleet as to whether there will be any benefit when we leave the EU. Most think the government will just use fishing rights as a give a way.

A large number of foreign fishing boats have now left Lerwick and have gone back fishing

Lerwick at the end of the day

Lifeboat ready for action

Low winter light in Scalloway

We do get some beautiful clouds in Shetland, join us on facebook at Shetland Clouds

Its not Christmas in Shetland until Father Christmas fly's past in the Coastguard Helicopter. They cover most of the south part of Shetland but this year didn't really stay long in Sandwick, they may have been called back to base.

Shetland celebrated its second Christmas a few days ago with Foula and a few other spots working off the Julian calendar.

The Up Helly Aa season kicked off yesterday with the Scalloway fire festival. The Jarl squad was larger than normal and made visits, in the rain, to a number of homes, schools and youth clubs in Scalloway.

The big one, in Lerwick will take place on the 29 January, just hope the weather is dry

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Up Helly Aa Scalloway

Shetland has more than one Up Helly Aa which surprises a lot of people as they have only heard about the one in Lerwick

Scalloway is always the first one with Lerwick Up Helly Aa taking place a couple of weeks after, this year on the 30 January

Although we didn't manage to get to the procession and burning it was good to see the build up for the first time. It was very cold but this didn't deter a good turn out.

A lot of people think the whole thing is put on for tourists but this couldn't be further from the truth. Shetlanders talk about these events for months before and it is a proud moment to be chosen for the Jarl or even the squad.

months of preparation are involved in making the costumes and the galley.

                                                               Not everyone likes the cold weather

You can always tell who has been chosen for the squad as they are the ones who suddenly start growing beards 6 months before the event

It always a good occasion and the squad sets off mid morning to visit care homes and schools before the big event at 7pm when they process through Scalloway and then set light to the Galley on the sea.

Some people don't like the winter months, the long dark nights or the cold but events like this certainly warm you up and its great to talk to those involved.

I was talking to someone who was Jarl in 1956 and remembers every moment, he tells me the squad was made up of family members including his father and son and friends from near and far, two coming over from Australia.

The weather was reasonable on the night just a bit windy unlike tonight which has around 70 mph winds and torrential rain. We are looking forward to some clear night so we can get out and see either the Aurora (Shetland Aurora Hunter on Facebook) or the milky way (shetlandsky.blogspot.co.uk)