Skip to main content

Shetland's on fire for Up Helly Aa

 

In the Shetland Islands, it's the season for a fiery end to the Christmas season and the darkest days of winter, and this year for the first time women were allowed to participate in the colorful procession.

Well-known to fans of Anne Cleave's Shetland novels and the TV series based on them, the annual fire festival, with celebrations on several of the islands before the big one in Lerwick last Monday, is intended to keep alive Shetland's Viking history; the islands were ruled from Scandinavia until Scotland acquired them in the 15th century in a questionable dowry deal.

The costumed celebrations, with torchlight processions through the streets, culminates with a huge bonfire and the burning of a Viking galley. In its present form, Up Helly Aa dates to the 1870s.

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

Add Comment

Comments (0)

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×