From January to March the Shetland Islands come alive with a whole host of Viking themed fire festivals often known as ‘Up Helly Aa’. The celebrations usually feature a Jarl Squad (Viking Squad), a procession, the burning of a Viking-style galley, plus much dancing and merriment. The most famous of these celebration’s is Lerwick’s Up Helly Aa. However, there are many other similar smaller festivals which take place…
Scalloway Fire Festival
When: 9th January 2015
Where: Scalloway, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession and burning
What is it?
Scalloway’s Fire Festival kicks off Shetland’s Viking themed fire festival season. There is a procession of torch bearers and a Viking galley paraded through the village to Scalloway Boating Club slipway at Port Arthur. Here the galley is set alight with the torches and launched into the sea. During the event traditional Up Helly Aa songs are sung, and afterwards there are performances held at various venues in the village, where the party continues.
More info: scalloway.net
Nesting and Girlsta Up Helly Aa
When: 6th February 2015
Where: Nesting, Mainland, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession and galley burning
What is it?
The Up Helly Aa in Nesting usually begins in the evening when torches are lit for a procession through the parish. The torches are thrown into the galley to burn it whilst the crowd sings. This is followed by an all-night party in the local halls.
More info: visit.shetland.org/up-helly-aa
Uyeasound Up Helly Aa
When: 13th February 2015
Where: Uyseasound, Unst, Shetland
£: Free to watch the evening procession
What is it?
Uyeasound’s celebration has been taking place since 1911, when the population of the area was much bigger. These days the whole of Unst usually gets involved in the festival. Again, this Up Helly Aa features a Viking squad formed of local inhabitants, all dressed in fine Viking warrior costumes. The procession takes place in the evening and is followed by acts performing in Uyeasound Hall.
More info: www.facebook.com/pages/Uyeasound-Hall
Galley Burning at Uyeasound Up Helly Aa (Photo: Mike Pennington – From geograph.org.uk. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
Northmavine Up Helly Aa
When: 20th February 2015
Where: Northmavine, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession
What is it?
The Northmavine Up Helly Aa takes place on the third Friday of every February. There are a squad of Vikings wearing themed costumes, flaming torches and a procession from Hillswick Hall to the loch at Urafirth. A brass band provides the rousing music for the traditional Up-Helly-Aa songs, and spectators line the route as the squad pull a Viking galley to the burning site.
More info: www.northmavine.com
Bressay Up Helly Aa
When: 27th February 2015
Where: Bressay, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession
What is it?
Bressay’s Up Helly Aa is unique in having two galleys for its festivities. One galley is pulled around the island, whilst a second one is burnt. They also have the usual processions and a party in the local hall afterwards.
More info: visit.shetland.org/bressay
Cullivoe Up Helly Aa
When: 27th February 2015
Where: Cullivoe, Yell, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession and burning
What is it?
The Cullivoe Up Helly Aa is held annually on the last Friday in February. Cullivoe’s festival first took place in North Yell as a children’s event and has grown since to become an island wide celebration. Like many of the Up Helly Aa events it features a Jarl Squad, an evening procession, a galley burning and dancing.
More info: cullivoeuphellyaa.com
Galley burning in the sea at Delting Up Helly Aa
Norwick Up Helly Aa
When: 28th February 2015
Where: Norwick, Unst, Shetland
£: Free
What is it?
Norwick’s is the second fire festival of the year to take place on Unst. It is one of the newer events and has been going since the 1980s. The main celebrations take place on Norwick Beach with traditional Viking costumes and fire lit torches.
More info: www.visitscotland.com
South Mainland Up Helly Aa
When: 13th March 2015
Where: South Mainland, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession
What is it?
South Mainland’s Up Helly Aa day culminates in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a galley. The galley is specially made each year and this year will be burnt on St. Ninan’s Isle Ayre beach. This will be followed by hours of performing and dancing in halls.
More info: www.smuha.org and www.facebook.com/pages/South-Mainland-Up-Helly-Aa
Delting Up Helly Aa
When: 20th March 2015
Where: Delting, Shetland
£: Free to watch the procession
What is it?
Delting’s Up Helly Aa closes the Viking fire festival season. The first Delting event took place in 1970 and the celebration has all the usual festivities including a Jarl Squad, evening torch lit procession and partying in the local halls.
More info: www.facebook.com/pages/Delting-Up-Helly-Aa