Community / Community at the core as Liam leads most northerly Up Helly Aa
IT WAS perhaps inevitable that Liam Spence would become guizer jarl for Norik Up Helly Aa this year, given it ends in a six.
His grandad was jarl in 1986, with his dad following in 1996 and an uncle also taking up the reins in 2006.
Now 2026 is Liam’s time in the spotlight as he heads up Shetland’s most northerly Up Helly Aa.
The 34-year-old quantity surveyor says it feels “brilliant” to lead the north Unst event, which he first sampled as a three-year-old in the 1995 jarl squad.
Spence, who is from Unst, will lead a squad of 29, which includes three Viking princesses – nieces Lucy (11) and Ada (4), and cousin Natalie (21).
To make things extra special, Friday – which is when things kick off with a “soft launch” including visits to the Baltasound school and some older residents in the community – is Lucy’s birthday.
The name Liam is being left at home this weekend, with the jarl going by the moniker Floki Skjaldcrafter.
The name is not derived from a historical character, but he said he was drawn to the name Floki given its connotations with the “god of mischief, and just having a fun and having a good spree with it all”.
“I thought that kind of fitted my personality and character over the years at Up Helly Aa,” Spence said.
The squad suits will have a red and black colour theme, with the red also reflecting the jarl’s football allegiance to Aberdeen.
He thanked Sarah at Shetland Woolen Co in Hoswick for the cloaks, and her partner’s mum Olga for “all the sewing she has done for us”.
The shields meanwhile are inspired by the jarl’s shield made back in the 1980s, with Keirynn Topp of Maskot helping with the design.
After the soft start on Friday, Norik revs up a few gears on Saturday with a full day of visits including to the local care home and shops.
An event at the Haroldswick show shed at 11am will offer people a chance to mingle with the squad.
Then there will be the torchlight procession at night before a night of fun in the local hall.
Spence has a close attachment to the Norik Up Helly Aa, not just from family being jarls – including his brother two years ago – but friends too.
The fact that three family members were jarls in years ending six was a coincidence, Spence adds, but he was keen to keep the trend going by aiming for 2026.
“The number six doesn’t mean anything to anybody in the family,” he said – but perhaps now it is gaining a little more significance.
Spence said it “feels right” to be jarl this year at an event which he says draws in everybody in the community.
“Norwick Up Helly Aa is a massive community event, so it’s all about family and everything like that,” he said.
“It feels brilliant just to be part of it and engaging with it again.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
