Uyeasound Up Helly Aa

Photos by Lucy Hargreves.

All the different guizer squads muster at The Galley Shed around 7.30pm.


After the Guizer Jarl's Squad hand out the drinks we all grab a torch each.
Guess which ones me and which ones Caroline.

Then we march off into the crisp winter night towards the galley.
Once gathered around the galley the torches are tossed in.
(note the sheilds, of the rugby six nations flags, as painted by Caroline and her pupils.)
...and up it goes!
The bottle is passed around.

And a Viking gets a happy ending.
What happens next is all the squads go to the village hall where they in turn perform a viciously satirical sketch based some recent goings on in the community. Fights have broken out over it.

Our sketch went down well. I did, however, nearly get into a fight when I pissed in the sink in the gents and a guy went mental in an Eastern European accent and started pushing me around. Must be frowned upon over there. Then again we don't oppress Jews, so one mans poison and all that.

After the sketches it's Shetland Come Dancing!


A splendid time was had by all. Hoorah!

Only two more Fire Festivals to go. Norwick then Hillswick.

S.x.

Lerwick Up Helly Aa!

The last Tuesday in January- Up Helly Aa!

I had grown my beard all big and Vikingy and headed off to Lerwick.


The strangely fascisty looking black crow flag is hoist above Lerwick Town Hall. As evening descends the street lamps are flipped off and the town is plunged into darkness . Then at 7.30pm -Whoosh! The Light Up! Up go the torches. To reveal... The Guizer Squads lined up and ready to go. They stand to attention waiting to follow the Guizer Jarl and his Jarl Squad, resplendent in Viking attire.And here come the girls...Hundreds of hairy arsed Shetlanders dressed up a women, giving the night the subtitle, Transvestite Tuesday. (It's a male only thing. That's the only pish thing about it.)

They march in their thousands around the square.The Galley Boys drag the galley...

They drag the galley into the centre of the park... Then they set fire to it!

(No photots of that, though. I'm from Glasgow. I've seen vehicles on fire before.)

It was a stunning procession.

I then went off to the Garrison Theatre where I hosted Stand Up Helly Aa, an evening of Shetland comedians. Everybody laughed. Braw!

The following morning...
Enough said.