Up Helly Aa - Shetland

Everyone in Shetland always looks forward to Up Helly Aa, for the Guizer Jarl its the end of a 15 year wait

Below one of the squad

 This year I decided to attend the junior Up Helly Aa, much less crowded than the main one. Its only a 1/2 hour march and burning, unlike the main one which is about an hour long

 The rain had just stopped as I got out of the car, but even at teatime parking was a problem

 It was good to see the main squad supporting the bairns and they came out of the Town Hall and lined up ready for the procession

 Guizer Jarl leading the singing, an important part of the night

 Even the Joker turned up to watch

 The big start up, lights out torches lit

 Burning of the Galley and an end to the night for the Junior Up Helly Aa.

The Lerwick Up Helly Aa takes place the last Tuesday in January and nothing stops the procession other than a World War.

People arrived from all over the world, I gather one couple from Vienna arrived on the day without any accommodation and were very luck to get a bed in a hotel due to a cancellation. They were back on the ferry the next day. A long way to come, but they said it was worth while.

Next year a cruise liner will be dropping off 1350 people just for the event and then setting off again that night.

A Japanese film crew arrived, all with face masks and most with purple hair  and wanted to capture the experience for folk back in Japan. Its certainly a busy event, especially when the weather is good.

Don't forget the other night lights in Shetland- the Aurora, join Shetland Aurora Hunter (Facebook) for latest updates