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Up Helly Aa fire festival culminates with burning of Viking galley

Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Viking festival reached its fiery culmination with a torchlit procession and the burning of a replica longship.

For the first time in its 143-year history, women and girls took part in the main Viking squad at the head of the torchlit procession.

Up Helly Aa - the biggest fire festival in Europe - is held on the last Tuesday in January.

The annual event sees people celebrate Shetland's Norse heritage with song, axes and shields as well as an all-night party.

Video - Iona Nicol

31 January 2024

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