Town Hall bells to chime out Up Helly Aa songs

UP Helly Aa songs will chime from the Town Hall bells tomorrow (Tuesday) to mark the day the fire festival should have been taking place.

The Up Helly Aa Song, the Galley Song and the Norseman’s Home will be played at around 11.45am tomorrow – the time when the jarl squad would normally leave the building after the convener’s civic reception.

The bells will be played from a small keyboard in the clock tower that electronically operates the bell hammers.

The raven banner will also be flown above the Town Hall for the day.

Convener Malcolm Bell said: “Obviously this year, due to the ongoing pandemic, it is impossible for the various Up Helly Aa festivals to take place.

“I hope that in some small way the playing of the Town Hall bells and flying of the raven banner on Tuesday will help mark the day and help us look forward to festivals to come, hopefully in the not too distant future.

“In the meantime, it is vital that everyone follows the advice of our public health professionals.”