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Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

Elizabeth's Kitchen Diary

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Waas Up Helly Aa

Published on March 8, 2014 β€’ Last updated July 22, 2017 by Elizabeth Atia

Up Helly Aa is an annual fire festival celebrated here in Shetland, marking the end of the Yule season and the return of the light after the long, dark winter. The main festival is held in Lerwick, the island’s capital, on the last Tuesday of January every year, but there are smaller Up Helly Aa celebrations held throughout the islands. Each celebration is led by a Jarl Squad, dressed in full Viking splendour, who spend the day marching and visiting before leading a torch lit procession through the streets. A replica galley is part of this procession and the march ends with the burning of the galley.

One of the smaller, junior, Up Helly Aa celebrations is held in Walls (pronounced Waas), a village on the west side of Shetland, but this Up Helly Aa is a Shetland fire festival with a difference. You won’t find burly bearded men leading this celebration, as each year the squads alternate between the local Scouts and Girl Guides with no member older than 14 years old. This year it was the girls’ turn to shine, and oh my they certainly did!

Donning wooden spears and painted shields the Guizer Jarl, Marissa Henry (age 8), led her squad of Burland Bruizers through the festivities of the evening, singing and dancing and entertaining the packed venues at the village hall and kirk. Other squads put on shows too, in true Up Helly Aa fashion, with visiting acts from other local Scouts and Guides chapters. We were treated to a song by the Northmavine Jarl Squad and there was plenty of dancing through the night to live music.

Unfortunately the burning of the galley was postponed due to inclement weather. Sleety hail showers coupled with high winds made for a very painful sky, so I will update this post with photos once the burning itself has occurred. In the meantime, you can view a taster of the hall events in the video below!

Waas Up Helly Aa 2014

The Jamieson’s wool mill in Sandness, on the west side of Shetland, grade, scour and dye their fleece before colour blending, carding, spinning, twisting and balling to produce their 100% pure Shetland yarn. This is then woven on their premises intoΒ an extensive range of genuine Shetland Tweeds and blankets. Their high quality product is in demand, worldwide, so imagine my delight when I was told I could do whatever I wanted with the leftover scraps from making the cloaks!As a parent of one of the junior Jarl Squad members with a sewing machine I was asked if I could make the Viking cloaks. I happily agreed; I’m all for a challenge, me! 9.5 metres of the finestΒ Jamieson’s 100% Shetland wool fabric was delivered to my house and I set to work: one cloak in red Shetland wool for the 8 year old Guizer Jarl herself and nineteen blue cloaks for her Burland Bruizer squad members, all fastened with a vintage pewter effect clasp.

With the scraps I made a small pillow as a memento for the Guizer Jarl herself (pictured in the bottom centre, below), a solid red Shetland wool pillow for raffling in the hall during the Up Helly Aa celebrations, two blue pillows with red heart appliquΓ© motifs and two sets of bunting, one to be raffled and the other…. to be won, along with the two large blue Shetland wool pillows by one of my lucky readers!

How to Enter

For your chance to win the two large handmade blue heart motif pillows (pictured left and right above) and one set of handmade ten flag bunting enter using the Rafflecopter below. Come back and tweet about the Giveaway every day for more chances to win!

Cat allergy sufferers: Please note that these items were made in a cat loving environment, and although every care was taken to keep Izzy off the ironing board while I was sewing I cannot guarantee she didn’t have a little nosy while I wasn’t looking.

Terms & Conditions

This giveaway is open to worldwide entries. Entrants must be age 18 or over. Winners will need to respond with their choice of prize within 72 hours of being contacted. Failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.

The prize is offered and provided by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary. The prize is the two 100% Shetland wool pillows with heart appliquΓ©s, pictured above, and one set of bunting. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable.

If you need some help using Rafflecopter, here’s a quick clip to show you how. Rafflecopter will pick the winner at random from the entries received. I will be verifying entries and any automated entries will be disqualified.

Closing date is midnight on Sunday 13 April 2014 and the winner will be announced that day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As our shy daughter was such a star as one of the Burland Bruizers participating with great cheer in her first ever Up Helly Aa I am linking up with Ethan’s Escapades and her Small Steps Amazing Achievements linky, the Magic Moments linky over at Oliver’s Madhouse and the BritMums My Best Post of the Week.

Ethans Escapades

Category: Adventure, Shetland

About Elizabeth Atia

Daydream adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Calls Shetland home.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Haigh

    April 22, 2015 at 12:48 am

    That looks and sounds brilliant – I want to come.

    Reply
  2. Holly Nelson

    May 31, 2014 at 11:04 am

    So jealous that you get to attend this. Up Helly Aa and Fairisle are still on my shetland to do list – I will get there one day!

    Reply
    • Elizabeth

      May 31, 2014 at 12:20 pm

      I still haven’t made it over to Fair Isle, one of these days! It’s on my bucket list πŸ™‚ You’ll have to come back and finish your Shetland tour!

      Reply
  3. IRIELADY

    April 12, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    I’ve never been, looks like a great get together

    Reply
  4. Caroline Bellamy

    April 12, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    I’ve never been but it looks great fun. Looks like it would be fun to attend one day
    lovely prize – thank you

    Reply
  5. Alisa Moore

    April 12, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    I would love to go!

    Reply
  6. Jane Henshaw

    April 12, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    I’ve never heard of Helly – this has been a very interesting post

    Reply
  7. suewilly

    April 12, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    I’ve never been but I’ve seen the celebrations on TV and would love to visit!

    Reply
  8. littlemisstrivia

    April 12, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    Sounds like fun!!

    Reply
  9. Allison Campbell

    April 12, 2014 at 6:21 pm

    Never been but I wish I could it looking amazing, bet the atmosphere is fantastic.

    Reply
  10. Anonymous

    April 12, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    The celebrations look good! I havnt been but i would love too!

    trevor linvell

    Reply
  11. Alenia

    April 12, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    No, I don’t know cause I live in a different country. But this is so interesting!

    Reply
  12. Bohdan Kuczynski

    April 12, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    I’d never heard of Helly aa before reading this but it looks like great fun

    Reply
  13. Natalie Crossan

    April 12, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Would love to go, looks amazing x

    Reply
  14. Janet

    April 12, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    It would be a long trip but definately looks worthwhile – this was something that I had not heard of before.

    Reply
  15. laura avery

    April 12, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Ive never heard of it, looks amazing fun !

    Reply
  16. Lady Chelington

    April 12, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    never been but it sounds awesome!

    Reply
  17. jodie harvey

    April 12, 2014 at 11:30 am

    looks fab! ive never been but its certainly something i would consider x

    Reply
  18. emma kinsey

    April 12, 2014 at 7:54 am

    never been but would love to go
    kinseyemma@yahoo.com

    Reply
  19. Erica Price

    April 12, 2014 at 7:22 am

    It does sound like fun – I love these local traditions.

    Reply
  20. karin

    April 12, 2014 at 12:11 am

    I’ve never been in those celebrations but it sounds like fun !!

    Reply
  21. sairz eastham

    April 11, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    Looks like you all had a brilliant time, I’d love to go!

    Reply
  22. lynn neal

    April 11, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    seems like fun

    Reply
  23. Anonymous

    April 11, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    Looks ace!

    Reply
  24. Kerry Kilmister

    April 11, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    I have never been before but it looks and sounds very interesting.

    Reply
  25. Kelly Hirst

    April 11, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    I haven’t been before, it looks interesting & something the whole amity can enjoy

    Kel Ellen Hirst

    Reply
  26. Jill Cordner

    April 11, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    I have never been but looks like an amazing event, I’d love to go x x

    Reply
  27. D Lloyd

    April 11, 2014 at 5:27 pm

    Wow – very fun!

    Reply
  28. sheridarby

    April 11, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    I have never been – but it looks brilliant

    Reply
  29. Ali Johnson

    April 11, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Never been, but it looks like a lot of fun!

    Reply
  30. Chanise Kemp

    April 11, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Sounds amazing, ive never been but would love to go! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  31. michelle B

    April 11, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    never been but it sounds like a great way to celebrate

    Reply
  32. natz101

    April 11, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    I would really love to see the festivities! It sounds like so much fun! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  33. Donna Kent

    April 11, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    I have never been. I’ve never been to the Shetlands but would to go. In fact, I probably wouldn’t want to leave. Its my idea of heaven.

    Reply
  34. antheaholloway

    April 10, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    I have never been but it looks wonderful and I would love to go and to join in the fun!

    Reply
  35. Sophie louise Buckle

    April 10, 2014 at 10:51 am

    Looks great never been but would like to

    Reply
  36. shirlz51

    April 9, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    sounds good,although have never been

    Reply
  37. Lorna kennedy

    April 9, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Look amazing,I haven’t been to one x

    Reply
  38. Fiona Bee

    April 9, 2014 at 2:49 pm

    Sounds really exciting – a great experience. Hope I can go one day.

    Reply
  39. Chantelle Kemp

    April 9, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I have never been πŸ™ But I would love to go and experience it πŸ™‚

    Reply
  40. Maura

    April 9, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    Looks brilliant would love to attend as I never have
    Maura

    Reply
  41. Victoria R Morrison

    April 7, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Never been, sounds like a great experience πŸ™‚

    Reply
  42. Laura Edge

    April 7, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    This is on my ‘to do’ list

    Reply
  43. Aishwarya

    April 7, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Nopey.. never! but it does sound great.. would love to if i ever get a chance!

    Reply
  44. susan joyce rogers

    April 6, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    No,never been but it looks great,

    Reply
  45. Kemcaflipflops

    April 6, 2014 at 9:41 am

    It looks amazing and I will definitely be suggesting to my other half that a wee trip is needed next year

    Reply
  46. Rebecca King

    April 3, 2014 at 9:21 pm

    I’ve never been but would to go! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  47. Lorna MacFadyen

    April 3, 2014 at 2:54 am

    I would love to go! Looks brilliant. I’m originally from Inverness, now in Glasgow and shamefully never made it any further north than my home town πŸ™ Shetland (and Orkney!) are both on my wishlist though!

    Reply
  48. Amanda Mallows

    April 1, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    I’ve never been, but it looks like so much fun!

    We keep Shetland sheep, so perhaps next year we should throw them a party πŸ™‚

    Reply
  49. Helena Oops

    March 30, 2014 at 9:55 am

    I ve never been in these celebratios!
    Even if i d love to!
    Thank yo for this great giveaway!

    Reply
  50. isa val

    March 29, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    sounds fun! πŸ™‚
    fingers crossed!
    cogitoergosum8587@yahoo.it

    Reply
  51. Sheryl Keene

    March 28, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I’ve not heard of this before. I would love to take my daughter to experience it. I also love a Scottish accent!

    Reply
  52. cherie28

    March 25, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    Have’nt been but it look’s fab πŸ™‚

    Reply
  53. essexkit

    March 18, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Sounds intriguing…Scotland is on my list of places to visit : )

    Reply
  54. Solange

    March 18, 2014 at 2:54 am

    I’ve never been but would love to go

    Reply
  55. Sarah MomE25

    March 17, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    I had never even heard about this celebration. It looks wonderful. I would love to go someday.

    Reply
  56. Isis1981uk

    March 14, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    I’ve never been but sounds fun!

    Reply
  57. HopesDreams

    March 14, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    Never been but always up for some craic so I’d love to go!

    Reply
  58. Ruth Harwood

    March 14, 2014 at 10:15 am

    I’ve never been but reading your review I’d definitely consider it πŸ™‚

    Reply
  59. Abigail Cullen

    March 14, 2014 at 7:38 am

    I have never been to these celebrations, but it looks good.

    Reply
  60. cathyj

    March 12, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    never been but they look fab

    Reply
  61. Anonymous

    March 12, 2014 at 6:02 pm

    I have never been up that far but a friend of mine is now working up there and says its wonderful

    Reply
  62. Ian

    March 12, 2014 at 9:54 am

    I have never been either, – probably would like to though.

    Reply
  63. Emily Clark

    March 11, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    I’ve never been, but I’d love to! I bet the atmosphere is lovely…

    Reply
  64. Justine Meyer

    March 11, 2014 at 11:08 am

    sounds great

    Reply
  65. Chris

    March 11, 2014 at 8:16 am

    What do you think of our Up Helly Aa celebrations? Have you ever been? Would you like to?
    Looks like a great time was had by all, never been but would love the opportunity

    Reply
  66. Jane Roberts

    March 10, 2014 at 8:48 pm

    What a fantastic event. I loved the video, I will have to show Ethan the minions. The girls really did put on a great show.

    Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
    x

    Reply
  67. clairew137

    March 10, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    Not been but it looks great.

    Reply
  68. Anonymous

    March 10, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Looks fantastic, though no, I have never been x
    Tracy Sinclair
    Twitter @tjsi1963

    Reply
  69. Jayne

    March 10, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    No I’ve not been, but would love to as it looks like good fun.

    Reply
  70. Carol Massey

    March 10, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I have never been but it looks amazing. I would love to go. (I would love to be as talented as you with needlework)

    Reply
  71. Jaime Oliver

    March 10, 2014 at 11:44 am

    what an utterly fantastic celebration! i am also jealous at how clever you are with making cloaks!!

    thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments x

    Reply
  72. mellysocks

    March 10, 2014 at 11:36 am

    Sounds great,I have never been but I would like to.

    Reply
  73. Anonymous

    March 10, 2014 at 9:54 am

    It sounds amazing – I have never been but would love to! rachelhonour@hotmail.co.uk

    Reply
  74. Coombe Mill

    March 10, 2014 at 10:32 am

    All looks very exciting and well done to your little star #MagicMoments

    Reply
  75. Jayne

    March 10, 2014 at 9:39 am

    I’ve never heard of this before

    Reply
  76. Anonymous

    March 9, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Have never been. Would like to. Looks like a great Celebration.

    Rachel Craig

    Reply
  77. Kirsty Grace

    March 9, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    I’ve never been bu would love to go ♥

    Reply
  78. Amy H

    March 9, 2014 at 5:16 pm

    The celebrations sound really good, looking forward to hearing about it.

    Reply
  79. Gail Bennett

    March 9, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    The Up Helly Aa celebrations sound amazing … would love to go along one day πŸ™‚

    Reply
  80. Amanda Hart

    March 9, 2014 at 11:32 am

    I have never been, but it looks really good πŸ™‚

    Reply
  81. peter campbell

    March 9, 2014 at 11:26 am

    great way to celebrate!

    Reply
  82. Anonymous

    March 9, 2014 at 7:24 am

    Looks awesome!

    Reply
  83. Jen @ Blue Kitchen Bakes

    March 8, 2014 at 11:35 pm

    I can’t enter your giveaway as I’m very allergic to cats but I just wanted to say I’m very very impressed with the cushions, they look beautiful, well done you for your mammoth sewing task, it looks like everyone had a great time πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Elizabeth S

      March 9, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Aw that’s a shame. I’m pretty sure the cat was no where near it, but you never know… I put up the disclaimer just in case! Everyone did have a fab time – I’m so proud of them all!

      Reply
  84. Suzanne Drummond

    March 8, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    ive never been but would love to go x

    Reply
  85. kristieinbc

    March 8, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    I visited Shetland last September and fell in love with it! I would love to go to Up Helly Aa on my next visit. Great giveaway!

    Reply
  86. Andy Caldwell

    March 8, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Its top of my must do list

    Reply
  87. Anonymous

    March 8, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    What a wonderful celebration. I’ve never been but I’d love to see it.

    Hazel Rea – @beachrambler

    Reply
  88. Anonymous

    March 8, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    i havent been but would love to x maria blythin

    Reply
  89. Victoria

    March 8, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    I’ve never been, but it sounds great!

    Reply
  90. clair downham

    March 8, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    i would like to see it sounds great

    Reply
  91. tamalyn

    March 8, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    sounds fun

    Reply
  92. maci234

    March 8, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    never been but looks fandabidozy

    Reply
  93. Anonymous

    March 8, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Never been, but looks good.

    Reply
  94. Cat Williams

    March 8, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    it sounds like great fun

    Reply
  95. Sarah-Louise Bailey

    March 8, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    It looks such fun, I have to admit I hadn’t heard of Helly aa before but it looks like an experience I would like to have πŸ™‚ x

    Reply
  96. Holly Smith

    March 8, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    It sounds fantastic and I would love to experience it myself. I have only been to Scotland once in my life and it would be fab to go back someday.

    Reply
  97. Amber Phoenix

    March 8, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    The event looks amazing; I haven’t yet ventured that far North, but we have plans to visit when we get our camper van up and running πŸ™‚ Beautiful pillows, by the way. xx

    Reply
  98. lynsey buchanan

    March 8, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    I would love to visit the celebration sounds fun

    Reply
  99. Daisy Cross

    March 8, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    I’d never heard of Helly aa before, but it looks like a lot of fun πŸ™‚

    Reply
  100. Janice Pattie

    March 8, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    Well done on the mammoth sewing project, great to see the young girls taking part in traditional activities too. You’ve made a beautiful job of the cushions.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth S

      March 9, 2014 at 10:00 am

      Thank you Janice – they really did enjoy themselves and it was nice to be able to help out. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  101. GameboyJoe

    March 8, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    Haven’t been but it looks good.

    Reply
  102. Gillian Holmes

    March 8, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    Sounds interesting, I would like to see it.

    Reply
  103. Lorraine Tinsley

    March 8, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    The celebrations look fab, I’ve never been as we live in Wales and rarely go that far North, but maybe one year πŸ™‚

    Reply
  104. Tracy K Nixon

    March 8, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    No I haven’t joined it but it look great fun! We have never been that far up North either. We have a holiday home over on the Isle of Arran and must go over there at least 8 times a year! They have local celebrations over there too but nothing like Up Helly Aa!

    Reply
  105. maxineflossy

    March 8, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    I’ve never been (nor ventured that far north!), but it makes it sound like an exciting event to see and your review of it has made me want to find out more

    Reply
  106. katie skeoch

    March 8, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    I have always wanted to see the celebrations! Looks like everyone had a fab time ♥

    Reply

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About Elizabeth

Adventurer. Expat Canadian. Foodie. Loves bikes. Calls Shetland home. Read More…

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