Almost 1,000 guizers, or warriors, in full Viking dress of helmets and shields and carrying flaming torches, will parade through the streets following their leader, the Guizer Jarl, whose galley ...

The festival involves a torchlit procession led by a “Guizer Jarl,” or Chief Viking, and a “Jarl Squad,” which lights a replica longship by throwing torches into it. The present form of Up Helly Aa ...

The event marks the end of the Yule season in Nordic culture, and features “guizers” in Viking costume marching ... take place (Jane Barlow/PA) Guizer Jarl Calum Grains, the leader of the ...

The festival involves a torchlit procession led by a “Guizer Jarl,” or Chief Viking, and a “Jarl Squad,” which lights a replica longship by throwing torches into it. Footage here shows the procession ...

At the head of the crowd is the "Jarl Squad" led by its chief, the Guizer Jarl. Its members, who become Vikings for the day, wear custom-made suits, axes and shields. They also have to build their ...

The event culminated in the burning of an imitation Viking galley in Lerwick harbour amid spectacular scenes. Earlier, the “Vikings” gathered in daylight to pose for photos.

Up Helly Aa is returning to Shetland this week, seeing thousands of people across the islands come together to mark the spectacular occasion. The event has been a staple of the Shetland calendar ...