widget/exchange-29
code/header-left
Become a member
widget/exchange-30widget/exchange-33
widget/exchange-31
In Pictures /

Lerwick Up Helly Aa 2026 – morning events

Shetland News @shetnews

A selection of photos from this morning as guizer jarl Lynden Nicolson and his squad of 65 Vikings took to the streets of Lerwick to kick off the town’s famous Up Helly Aa festival.

Four men pose outdoors, one dressed in Viking attire with armor and helmet, while others wear casual clothes. A crowd and buildings appear in the background.
The jarl meeting elite strongman The Stoltman brothers outside Lerwick Town Hall on Tuesday morning.
Photo: Dave Donaldson
A group of people in Viking costumes, led by a man with a feathered helmet, shield, and axe, participating in a parade in front of stone buildings.
Enjoying the festival, jarl Lynden Nicolson outside the Legion on Tuesday morning.
Photo: Hans J Marter/Shetland News
A group of children in matching medieval-style costumes with red capes, helmets, and shields stand together outdoors, smiling at the camera.
Some of the 10 children in Lynden Nicolson’s squad.
Photo: Dave Donaldson
A group of people in matching Viking costumes with shields and banners march down a wet street during a parade or festival.
Parading through Lerwick on Tuesday morning.
Photo: Chloe Irvine
A man in dragon-themed armor and helmet holds an axe and shield during an outdoor event, with similarly dressed people and a crowd in the background.
Shetland News reporter Ryan Nicolson on different duties today.
Photo: Dave Donaldson
A group of people wearing Viking costumes, with one boy in the center holding an axe and shield, standing in front of a building.
Junior Up Helly Aa jarl Frankie Walterson. Photo: Hans J Marter/Shetland News
A large, text-heavy sign details the 2026 Up Helly Aa festival, listing participants, instructions, and event rules in red and black lettering, with a Viking-themed image at the top.
The Bill.

Keep Shetland’s news open to everyone

Your membership helps us report the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read.

Become a member
 
Categories
In Pictures
Tags
Lerwick Up Helly Aa

Related Stories

widget/exchange-62widget/newsletter_form_widget-3widget/exchange-64widget/pd_widget-6widget/exchange-63widget/exchange-54widget/pd_widget-8widget/exchange-55widget/pd_widget-9widget/exchange-56

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Interested in Notifications?

You can install the Shetland News app on your device, simply tap and then 'Add to Home Screen'.

Loading the app will allow you to accept notifications.

Help keep Shetland’s news open to everyone

Good local journalism takes time, care and people on the ground. Membership helps us keep reporting the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read. Members get a weekly newsletter created especially for them, local ads only, and can bookmark stories and join the conversation in the comments.

Keep Shetland’s news open to everyone

Your membership helps us report the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read.

Become a member