Scottish fire festival Up Helly Aa on 28th January 2020

Unni Mohanadas January 17, 2020 Destinations 0

Location : Lerwick, Scotland

Destination Type: Cultural

In January, one of the darkest months of winter in Shetland, fires are lit to celebrate the islands heritage. Up Helly Aa( loosely translated as holiday for all) is the biggest event in Shetland .The main festival involves a procession of up to a thousand guizers in Lerwick on the last Tuesday in January

History of Up Helly Aa

The current Lerwick celebration grew out of the older yule tradition of tar barreling which took place at Christmas and New Year as well as Up Helly Aa
After the abolition of tar barrelling around 1874–1880, permission was eventually obtained for torch processions
The first yule torch procession took place in 1876.
The first torch celebration on Up Helly Aa Day took place in 1881.
In the late 1880s the replica Viking Longship was introduced into Up Helly Aa.

Activities for tourists at Up Helly Aa

Watch the Jarl’s Squad marching in early morning
Watch The Jarl’s Squad stops at the Market Cross – where the Proclamation (aka The Bill – instructions with local jokes and satire included) is located.
Watch the procession of Junior Jarl and his Squad and his galley
Watch thoursands of tourches lit
Finally, the torches will be thrown into the Galley, which will be burnt to ashes. Be a part of this