Up Helly Aa season is with us again...
Posted: Monday, 21 January 2008 |
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!
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!
Comments
Stunningly atmospheric photos Ruth. They're producing a bit of bipedal nostalgia round here...seemingly 1972 in Lerook enjoyed the same fine conditions...that's so many cat generations back it's pre-history...and you were only a kitten..*wee fpu sigh*
Flying Cat from Tuesday's Dead
Right that's it then. The big fires are on the go, now that idle sun can come back and warm us into life again.
Hyper-Borean from A galley shed
Very nice photos. All the best re: Unst Helly Aa. Looking forward ...
mjc from NM,USA
Thanks for the nice pics, Ruth. For those of us that are on the other side of the world, what is a "Up Helly Aa".
CVBruce from CA, USA
Me too! I'm heading to Lerwick for the big firey things! Let's hope it's a dry night.....
Stromness Dragon from The tinderbox
great pics ruth. what does it mean when your digi camera says 'card not initialised'??
carol[tws's weather girl] from still in nz
CBBruce, Up Helly Aa is a grand Shetland tradition, and for a short definintion, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/islandblogging/blogs/005169/0000006157.shtml. (Cut and paste! This is Puffinbilly's blog, who hasn't blogged for nearly a year now.) After the galley burning, all the squads and spectators retire to a hall to watch the squads perform their acts. This is then followed by a shetland dancing. A great time is had by all. By the way, what does CV stand for? Carol fae There, I'm not very technically minded, sorry, if that happened to me I wid probably ask the shop or manufacturer. Howz things doon under?
Ruthodanort from Unst
Stromness Dragon, are you going to a hall? If so, which one?
Ruthodanort from Unst
Reading the instructions might help...I will quote from mine..."CARD NOT INITIALISED = a) the x-D (or poss. s-D) card is not formatted or b) the card contact area is soiled or c) camera fault. Remedy - format the card on the camera OR wipe the contact area on the card with a soft dry cloth. It may then be necessary to format. If the message still appears, replace the picture card. If it's a camera fault contact the maker."
Flying Cat from Owner's Manuel
The man is up there working and is supposed to be on the case getting us into a hall. There is a sniff of a ticket for the TA hall at Fort Charlotte, but other than that we're stuck. Still be great though, I hope!
Stromness Dragon from fingers crossed
I have read on Wikipedia that women are not allowed in the Lerwick Up Helly Aa. Is it really true? Wikipedia can also tell that the celebration is quite heavy. The only thing which moves the day after the celebration is the "hangover bus" taking passengers to Sumburgh Airport. I think it is important to keep up the old traditins, and I hope to attend one Up Helly Aa sometime. To Ruth and you all, have a good time.
Dag from Norway
Ruth, thanks for the pointer. It looks like a great time was had by all. CV stands for Castro Valley, the town I live in. Carol, your error message sounds like your memory card isn't formated. Check the setup menu for something that says format.
CVBruce from CA, USA
What a brilliant name for a town...in USA...I expect Fidelity is high on the list of virtues attributable to the inhabitants.
Flying Cat from a humidor
fc--instruction booklet has been vaguely read and is in st dez in its box--ruthie and others yu were right,thanksxxx
carol from with her camera
Dag, yes, that's right. Det er riktig. I've not experienced this zero-female phenomenon yet, as here in Unst we have moved out of the dark ages and women play a large part in UHA. You must come and experience Up Helly Aa for yourself, and soon I will have enough experience to be able to recommend which is best! (Unst of course!) And we have checked, the Co-op will be open on Wednesday morning for the traditional hangover late breakfast, before our return to the civilised north.
Ruthodanort from Unst
Stromness Dragon! You must let us know if you get tickets for the TA, as that is also where Muness Views and myself will be. We could employ a code, like FC's fpu did, when we were able to meet at the Folk Festival. (She wore groatie buckie earrings!)
Ruthodanort from Unst
Hi Ruth, no luck with tickets, alas. Will stand outside looking in sadly, like the little match girl! Have a good one!
Stromness Dragon from Desperation
Of course the fair sex are involved in Lerook Up Helly Aa. They make all the food; they serve all the food; they do most if not all of the clearing up after the food...
Flying Cat from a word in your shell-like
I'll be the one holding the camera bag!!
Muness from Fetlar
Hooray! Tickets secured for the TA hall! I'll be wearing a silver Maeshowe dragon brooch and a dark red velvety skirt! Can't wait, v excited! See you there!
Stromness Dragon from Scallowa with himself
your in scallowa...
scallowawife from not in scallowa
Blogs fae a thirty-something mum of 4 born in Fife, brought up in Orkney, and living in Unst.
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