Crowds Gather to Celebrate Scotland's 'Up Helly Aa' Fire Festival After COVID Hiatus

Crowds gathered to watch the Up Helly Aa fire festival kick off in Lerwick, Scotland, on Tuesday, January 31, after the annual celebration took a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Viking-themed event, held on the last Tuesday of January, celebrates Shetland’s Norse heritage, with many participants dressed in traditional Viking garb.

Video taken by Megan Keppie shows the ‘Jarl Squad’ sing the “Up Helly Aa” song at Lerwick’s Market Cross during the morning procession through town.

“It’s brilliant to see it back after not being on the last two years due to COVID,” Keppie said. Credit: Megan Keppie via Storyful

Video transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

- (SINGING) [INAUDIBLE].

[CHEERING]

[CLAPPING]