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The Up Helly Aa season kicks off with the Scalloway Fire Festival, which was held in near perfect conditions a week past Friday. I went along with Diamondbigdod's wife to watch the proceedings.

Here's a few pics of the lighting up at the start of the procession.







Sorry, my plans didn't make it possible to see the burning of the galley, so no pics there.

Next week a few of us from the Nort here are heading sooth to the metropolis of Lerwick to witness the Lerwick Up Helly Aa. Even thought I've lived in Shetland for more than 10 years this is my first chance to see it. I'm told it's quite a sight.

And of course, the best Up Helly Aa's are still to come, with Unst's two festivals held in February. I'm really looking forward to the Uyeasound one, on the 9th, as my boyfriend and a friend are coming from Norway to see what all the fuss is about.

The squad I'm in has been meeting since before Christmas, preparing our 'act' which we perform on stage after the procession. There are usually about 10-15 different squads at an Unst Up Helly Aa, which makes for a good evenings entertainment.

I would love to show you pictures of our squad, but I am sworn to secrecy, so you will just have to wait until February!

Perfect conditions for the Guizer Jarl on Tuesday brought out thousands to watch the Up Helly Aa spectacle.


Just a few of the crowds around the burning site.





Lighting Up






They're off!




The Galley Breckon




Guizers!





Hundreds of flaming torches on King Harald Street.




Jarl Kol Kalison just before the Galley is set alight. (Don't stress, he hops off just in time!)




The Burning






Jarl Kol Kalison, otherwise known as Roy Leask. (Or in Unst, Elaine's Dad.)



Well, that's your lot for now, although you may be interested to know that Muness Views and I met up with Stromness Dragon at the TA hall. We had a very enjoyable night.