In Scotland’s Shetland Islands, a hearth competition named Up Helly Aa takes place each January to mark the tip of the yuletide season. The competition has been on maintain for the previous two years because of COVID-19 restrictions however was held once more this yr. Native members, referred to as guizers, have fun their Norse heritage by dressing in Viking gear and marching by the city of Lerwick with battle axes and torches, dragging a ceremonial Viking longboat with them. On the finish of the procession, the guizers hurl their flaming torches onto the longboat and set it ablaze. Gathered under are photos from a number of Up Helly Aa processions over the previous 20 years.
