A bus full of Vikings just turned around outside our house. Yes, it's our Up Helly Aa! Going for breakfast in town, having a wander, then back home later to celebrate the ancient* tradition of burning a boat with a bunch of drunken locals. 🔥
I'm not being facetious, it's a great day. All the best to Jarl George and his Squad!
* it's not.
Today was #uphellyaa a Scottish Viking festival, which gives #people joy during the gloom & long cold nights of winter.
The tradition began in the 1800's.
At the end, they throw their torches onto a replica of a Viking boat.
Given what I've learned from Dr. Asa Hilliard & Theo Vennemann, it seems as if this type of boat comes from the lands of sunshine.
Merchant Navy #resistwar
Viking replica
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Hugin,_Viking_ship_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6018102.jpg
Israeli coins
https://en.numista.com/80490
LIVE: Shetlanders march at Scotland’s Viking festival in Lerwick
Hundreds of Shetlanders march through Lerwick, Scotland, carrying flaming torches to mark the ancient Viking festival of Up Helly Aa. The tradition dates to the 19th century. #uphellyaa #lerwick #shetland #scotland #vikingfestival Keep up with the latest news from around the world:
https://fllics.com/en/video/live-shetlanders-march-at-scotlands-viking-festival-in-lerwick/
Hundreds of Shetlanders march through Lerwick, Scotland, carrying flaming torches to mark the ancient Viking festival of Up Helly Aa. The tradition dates to the 19th century. #uphellyaa #lerwick #shetland #scotland #vikingfestival Keep up with the latest news from around the world: https://www.reu
Just in case you want to see a thousand or so people carrying burning torches through a town...in 35mph winds...
...Up Helly Aa starts in half an hour.
No, we're not going. Yes we're watching it from our lounge. It's proper rough outside. Kudos to the Jarl Squad and others in the procession!
Happy #UpHellyAa for those that celebrate.
OK, there are plenty of other village events but #Lerwick #UHA is still the biggie.
The fire festival season is upon us once again! Starting today with Scalloway.
https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2026/01/09/jarl-sidney-scalloway-fire-festival/
I have never attended Up Helly Aa, although we did sail up and around Shetland two years ago. But I was reminded by this article and an extremely amusing (he pokes fun at everyone but in a very gentle way) program by Mark Steel from Lerwick, with an accompanying one from Unst. Highly listenable.
Andy
Gustavo Meneses
Fllics
David Whittemore
Jo
Guyroscope
Wen