The spectacular Up Helly Aa Viking festival has come to a fiery conclusion in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles. The annual event celebrates the Shetlands' Viking heritage, and is traditionally held on the last Tuesday of January. Up Helly Aa concludes with the burning of a replica Viking longboat.
Participants dressed as Vikings light their torches before marching in procession to burn their replica galleyAndy Buchanan/AFPThe Jarl squad begin to light torches at the culmination of Up Helly AaJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Jarl squad parade through Lerwick with lit torchesJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Jarl squad parade through Lerwick with flaming torchesJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesParticipants dressed as Vikings walk around the longboatJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Jarl squad surround the Viking boat with their lit torchesJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesGuzier Jarl Lyall Gair and his Jarl throw their flaming torches onto the galleyJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesWith their torches aflame, the Vikings walk around the galleyJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Jarl squad encircle the Viking longboatJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesGuzier Jarl Lyall Gair and his Jarl throw their torches onto the galleyJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesParticipants dressed as Vikings burn their replica longboat at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland IslandsAndy Buchanan/AFP
During the day, a band of latter-day Viking warriors known as the Jarl Squad attend a series of marches and public appearances to teach locals about their Viking ancestors. The event attracts visitors from across the world and is seen as a tourism boost to the Shetland Islands.
Members of the Jarl Squad visit the British Legion as they march through the streets of LerwickJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesMembers of the Jarl Squad march through the streets of Lerwick in the Shetland IslandsJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesLyle Gairmand his Jarl Squad march through the streets of LerwickJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesMen dressed as Vikings queue up for breakfast items as they prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festivalJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesMen dressed as Vikings eat breakfast as they prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festivalJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesParticipants dressed as Vikings eat breakfast as they prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festivalJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesA member of the Jarl squad waits for the start of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in LerwickAndy Buchanan/AFPParticipants dressed as Vikings wait to start the annual Up Helly Aa festival in LerwickAndy Buchanan/AFPMembers of the Jarl Squad march through the streets of LerwickJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesReplica Viking helmet and shields are laid to one side prior to the start the annual Up Helly Aa festivalAndy Buchanan/AFPPeople dressed as Vikings eat breakfast as they prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festivalJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesGuizer Jarl Lyle Gair and his Jarl squad pose for a group picture at Bressay Ferry Terminal in LerwickJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesParticipants dressed as Vikings pose by a replica longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in LerwickAndy Buchanan/AFP
