Delting Up Helly Aa squad parades through streets of New York

Guizer jarl Dwayne Davies said the trip to the US has been ‘out of this world’

Chris Cope

16 April 2023 17:59

Three vikings dressed in armor walking down the street.

Enjoying life in the Big Apple, from left to right: Ewan Doull, Laurie Laurenson, Arnold Leask, Stuart Milne. Photo: Malcolm Younger/Millgaet Media

MEMBERS of the Delting Up Helly Aa jarl squad roared their way through the streets of New York City this weekend in the annual Tartan Day Parade.

More than 30 members of the group headed across the Atlantic, with nearly 20 Vikings accompanied by banner and flag bearers.

As the squad members walked in the parade the Shetland flag was held aloft, whilst some of the Vikings were asked to stop off for selfies with the crowds at the side.

Guizer jarl Dwayne Davies said trip to the US has been “absolutely out of this world”. The Tartan Day Parade has regularly hosted Shetland jarl squads in the past.

The Delting squad are due to arrive back in the UK on Tuesday.

“The reception we’ve had has been so overwhelmingly amazing,” he said.

“The people of New York really interacted well to us, constantly stopping to have photos with them and asking our story. All these Up Helly Aa trips that jarl squads make certainly contribute towards tourism in Shetland and sure we have recruited dozens and dozens from this trip.”

Davies said the weather was on their side too, although one day saw temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius – making conditions sweltering in a full Up Helly Aa suit.

The Tartan Day Parade helps to recognise National Tartan Day, which was established in 1998 to recognise the “outstanding achievements and contributions made by Scottish Americans to the United States”.

TV personality Gail Porter led this year’s parade.

The Delting squad can be seen on the video below at around 1hr46m40s. Thanks to Malcolm Younger of Millgaet Media for the photos from the parade.

A man dressed as a viking holding an axe.

Delting Up Helly Aa guizer jarl Dwayne Davies. Photo: Malcolm Younger/Millgaet Media

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Back row, from left to right: Laurence Tait, Mark Manson, Damian Malloy, Duncan Stove, Ben Laurenson, Josh Morrison, Mark Anderson, Dwayne Davies, Walter Leask, Arnold Leask, Stuart Milne, Allan Walterson, Laurie Laurenson, Gordon McMahan, Jimmy Johnson and Ewan Doull. Front row, left to right: Josie Manson and Alesha Manson.Photo: Malcolm Younger/Millgaet Media