Annual fire festival Up Helly Aa returns to Lerwick to mark end of Yule season

An annual fire festival celebrating Shetland’s Norse heritage has kicked off in Lerwick to mark the end of the Yule season.

Up Helly Aa is held on the last Tuesday in January in the main town in the island group and sees members don Viking-style clothing as more than 1,000 torches are lit on the day.

This year’s event will take place on January 28, with festivities beginning in the morning before continuing well into the night.

The festival started with the guizer jarl leading his squad through the town, dragging the replica galley and singing Up Helly Aa and galley songs.

Pictured right to left are the three port chief executives, Tom Hutchison (Montrose), Calum Grains (Lerwick) and Alex Macleod (Stornoway). Photo credit: Tom Jamieson. Tom Jamieson

The walk sets off a day of civic receptions and visits to schools, hospitals and homes.

The festival then comes to an end with a ritual burning of the galley.

Guizer jarl heading up the event, Lerwick Port Authority chief executive, captain Calum Grains, invited Tom Hutchison and Alex MacLeod, his opposite numbers at Montrose Port Authority and Stornoway Port Authority respectively, to join his jarl squad.

Captain Calum Grains said: “It is my pleasure to welcome Tom and Alex to the day’s community activities, including the evening torchlight procession, the traditional burning of the Viking galley and the follow-on celebrations.

“The visit will give them direct experience of Up Helly Aa to long remember.”

Tom Hutchison added he was “deeply honoured” to take part in this year’s festival.

“[It’s] a tremendous tradition that celebrates community and heritage in such a spectacular way,” he said.

“I want to personally thank Calum for his kind invitation and for bringing Alex and I together to share in this fantastic occasion.”

Mr Hutchison continued: “It’s especially meaningful to support Calum in his role as guizer jarl for 2025, a proud moment for him as a Shetlander.

“This is a wonderful example of how trust ports can come together to strengthen and celebrate our communities and I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of it.”

The organisation is run by a voluntary committee of 17 members, each selected by the guizers – or costumed participants – with one new member elected each year.

Alex Macleod, chief executive at Stornoway Port Authority, said: “It’s an honour to be invited to be a member in this year’s Jarl Squad for Up Helly Aa.

“It has always been an iconic celebration of Shetland’s rich culture and heritage, and it will be truly special to witness firsthand the passion and spirit of the community that Up Helly Aa represents.

“I’m looking forward to taking part alongside Tom from Montrose Port and the Guizer Jarl Calum Grains from Lerwick Port Authority as we join together in celebrating Shetland’s traditions and continue to build lasting relationships across all three ports.”