In pictures: Burning galley provides fitting climax to Up Helly Aa revelry

The celebration of all things Viking culminated in a harbour blaze at the Shetland festival.

In pictures: Burning galley provides fitting climax to Up Helly Aa revelryPA Media
PA Media
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The burning of the galley in Lerwick provided the traditional climax to another memorable Up Helly Aa spectacle in Shetland.

The long-established fixture in the early year calendar sees the Viking-themed event attract would-be warriors to the north to spend a day of socialising before the torching of the centrepiece of the celebrations, a lovingly created Viking ship.

Members of the Jarl Squad take part in the torchlight processionPA Media
Members of the Jarl Squad take part in the torchlight procession

Lynden Nicholson, head of the Jarl Squad, had earlier led his followers around the town before nightfall.

Although daylight hours are short in January in Lerwick the revellers made the most of them as they paraded around town in costume and with the usual accessories.

Members of the Jarl Squad light their torchesPA Media
Members of the Jarl Squad light their torches
Members of the Jarl Squad PA Media
Members of the Jarl Squad 
The burning of the galleyPA Media
The burning of the galley
Helly Aa festivalPA Media
Helly Aa festival
Helly Aa festivalPA Media
Helly Aa festival
Youngsters take part in the processionPA Media
Youngsters take part in the procession
A shield carried by a member of the Jarl Squad PA Media
A shield carried by a member of the Jarl Squad 
The Jarl Squad on the galley at the harbour in LerwickPA Media
The Jarl Squad on the galley at the harbour in Lerwick
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