Photo Story: Up Helly Aa Festival 2016

Originating in the 1880s, the spectacular Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland celebrates Norse heritage and sees a Viking longship dragged through the streets by a horde of 'guizers', before dramatically being set alight.

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Published: January 27th, 2016 at 3:46 pm


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A group of young vikings march through the streets as part of the Up Helly Aa Viking Festival. 

Picture ©Andrew Milligan / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Members of the Jarl Squad carry flaming torches through the streets.

Picture ©Andrew Milligan / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Flaming torches are held aloft, before the Galley is set alight

 Picture: ©Andrew Milligan / PA Wire/Press Association Images

The Galley roars as it bursts into flames

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 Picture: ©Andrew Milligan / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Authors

Carys MatthewsGroup Digital Editor

Carys is the Group Digital Editor of countryfile.com and discoverwildlife.com. Carys can often be found trail running, bike-packing, wild swimming or hiking in the British countryside.

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