‘Vikings’ took to the streets in Shetland to celebrate the world-famous Up Helly Aa fire festival.
The event takes place in Lerwick on the last Tuesday of January each year and attracts visitors from around the globe.
The festival sees people dressed as Vikings march through the streets of the town to recreate its ancient Viking past, in a tradition dating back to the 19th century.
The walk is led by the Guizer Jarl, or chief guizer, and culminates in a torch-lit procession and the burning of a replica longboat.
More than 40 groups, locally known as ‘squads’, march through the streets of Lerwick during the evening torchlit procession at Europe’s biggest fire festival.
Volunteers are responsible for building the galley boat and the production of more than 1,000 torches.
Up Helly Aa is traditionally held on the last Tuesday of January and celebrates Shetland’s Norse heritage
The procession culminates in the burning of a replica Viking long ship
The festival stems from the 1870s when a group of young local men wanted to put new ideas into Shetland’s Christmas celebrations
It’s the second year that women and girls have been allowed to take part
The Jarl Squad has one year to build the replica galley they will set ablaze during Up Helly Aa
More than 40 groups, locally known as ‘squads’, march through the streets of Lerwick during the evening torchlit procession at Europe’s biggest fire festival
At dusk, those taking part in the festival attend a host of celebrations in halls around the town.
Shetland and neighbouring Orkney were ruled by the Norse for about 500 years until they became part of Scotland in 1468.
The festival stems from the 1870s when a group of young local men wanted to introduce ancient traditions into Shetland’s Christmas celebrations.
