The event, which attracts visitors from around the globe, sees people dressed as Vikings march through the streets of Lerwick to recreate its ancient Viking past, in a tradition dating back to the 19th century.
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 put new ideas into Shetland’s Christmas celebrations.
5. Participants take part in the Up Helly Aa festival parade through the streets of Lerwick
Participants take part in the Up Helly Aa festival parade through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 31, 2023. - Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP) Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN
6. Participants take part in the Up Helly Aa festival parade through the streets of Lerwick
The event, which attracts visitors from around the globe, sees people dressed as Vikings march through the streets of Lerwick to recreate its ancient Viking past, in a tradition dating back to the 19th century. (Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP) Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN
7. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands
Shetland and neighbouring Orkney were ruled by the Norse for about 500 years until they became part of Scotland in 1468. Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN
8. Up Helly Aa culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat
The Lerwick Up Helly Aa Committee last year decided to relax the long-standing custom of only allowing males to take part in the procession after members discussed how to take the event forward following a two-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo by Andy Buchanan / AFP Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN