Up Helly Aa: Inside Shetland’s Viking Fire Festival
28 January 2026Introduction: Why Up Helly Aa Matters Up Helly Aa is one of Scotland’s most distinctive cultural events. Held annually in Shetland, the festival celebrates the islands’ Norse heritage through a dramatic torchlit procession and the ceremonial burning of a replica Viking longship. The event draws visitors, supports local businesses and offers a visible expression of […]