Spread the love
Post Views: 3

Party like a Viking in Shetland

For twenty-four hours, on the last Tuesday of January, Shetland’s capital, Lerwick is the location of Europe’s biggest annual fire festival – Lerwick Up Helly Aa. For the first time in three years, this superb spectacle will make a return on January 31, 2023. Visitors can expect almost 1,000 heavily-disguised torch-bearers, including the Jarl Squad Vikings, marching through the town and burning a full-size replica longship as part of this salute to Shetland history and Viking heritage. The procession and galley burning are followed by all-night celebrations at the local halls where each squad will visit in turn and perform their unique act. 2023 will be a watershed year for Up Helly Aa with female participation welcomed for the first time.

Visitors who miss out on the action in Lerwick need not worry; the Shetland fire festival season runs from mid-January to late March, with twelve festivals in all, ranging from the South Mainland to Norwick in the north of Unst.

Viking Graffiti in Orkney

Who knew that Vikings were into graffiti? The runes left within the ancient burial mound of Maeshowe in Orkney give a fascinating glimpse into the minds of the Norsemen who ruled the archipelago until 1469. Expect to giggle! Some of the inscriptions on the walls of this 5000-year-old masterpiece of Neolithic design and construction are reminiscent of the modern-day scribblings that can be found on bus shelters around the world today…

In Viking Footsteps

Both Shetland and Orkney were once Viking strongholds and the imprint the Norsemen left on the islands can be seen today in many ways – from place names to facets of the architecture. Here is just a selection of places to explore for anyone wanting to follow in Viking footsteps:

Viking Unst (Shetland): Unst, the most northerly island in Britain, is thought to be the first foot-fall of Vikings in the North Atlantic. There are the remains of at least 60 longhouses, the highest density of rural Viking sites anywhere in the world, including Scandinavia.
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement (Shetland): Discoveries made here include oval-shaped Bronze Age houses, an Iron Age broch and wheelhouses, Norse long houses, a medieval farmstead, and a laird’s house dating from the 1500s.
St Magnus Cathedral (Orkney): Britain’s most northerly Cathedral is set in the heart of Orkney’s capital Kirkwall. Known as the ‘Light in the North’, it was founded in 1137 by the Viking, Earl Rognvald, in honour of his uncle St Magnus.
Earl’s Bu and Church (Orkney): Visitors can trace the events of the great Orkneyinga Saga at the ruins of this round church and high-status residence.

Where Creativity Thrives…

Beyond fascinating history, stunning coastal scenery and an abundance of wildlife, both Orkney and Shetland have established a reputation for their thriving creative scenes. Follow the Craft Trail in Shetland and the Creative Trail in Orkney to discover workshops, open studios and truly unique souvenirs, inspired by the stunning land- and seascapes of the islands – from textiles to jewellery and furniture.

Visitors can also expect a feast for the ears – music runs in the blood of Shetlanders and Orcadians and both Shetland Folk Festival (27 to 30 April 2023) and Orkney Folk Festival (25 to 28 May 2023), just two of the many events in their musical calendars, promise an exciting mix of homegrown talent and visiting acts.

Adopt a Seaweed-Eating Sheep

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for an animal lover? Milldam Croft offers the opportunity to adopt one of Orkney’s most famous inhabitants – the seaweed-eating sheep of North Ronaldsay. Owners Olly and Siân specialise in rare and native breeds and believe in farming in ways that regenerate the environment and habitats in the area. Adopting one of the cuddly sheep will help grow North Ronaldsay’s first forever flock, as well as supporting the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, who work to conserve the UK’s native breeds. A standard adoption pack costs £25 and comes with a personalised adoption certificate, North Ronaldsay sheep factsheet, photo of the chosen sheep, quarterly email updates with video content for one year, a handmade woolly gift and the opportunity to come and meet the adopted sheep.