Community / Karl the jarl leads Up Helly Aa festivities in the South Mainland
IT IS the South Mainland’s turn to enjoy a slice of Up Helly Aa action this weekend as guizer jarl Karl Davidson leads the festivities.
The 61-year-old, who lives in Sandwick, said he was looking forward to the big day – but was hoping the weather plays ball.
With halls in Gulberwick, Cunningsburgh, Sandwick, Bigton and the Ness, Davidson said the South Mainland Up Helly Aa (SMUHA) has “grown arms and legs” over the years to become a “huge” event.
He will be leading a squad of 24 men and 13 women through a day of visits and engagements before the torchlit procession at night in Sandwick.
Davidson said it will be the first time the galley has been burned at the Sandwick beach, near the graveyard, with the procession starting near to the social club.
His 37-strong squad includes two nephews – one of whom has travelled from America, where he works – as well as a niece and a grand niece.
Davidson said the suit’s kirtles are grey, with purple cloaks and a near-black breastplate, with the squad aiming to do much as locally as possible.
In a nod to his work in crofting and agriculture, on the face of the breastplate is the deer from the logo of tractor and machinery company John Deere.
“We have the deer out in the middle of our shields, and we have the same deer in the middle of our axes,” the jarl added.
Davidson is going by the name of ‘King Karl Hundason’ this weekend, and the saga is connected to those used by past SMUHA jarls Leigh Smith (2024) and Ian Bray (2018).
“The three of them are all related, so that’s why we went with that,” he said.
The galley meanwhile is called Shearwater, named after Davidson’s grandfather’s last creel boat.
Davidson has been on the SMUHA committee since around 2013, and he took up the role as one of the galley boys.
Ahead of the weekend he praised the “help and backing from the committee” as well as his own squad.
“Everybody has stuck in,” Davidson said.
“Everybody’s been very, very helpful, and that makes a big, big difference.”
He added that SMUHA, which features hundreds of guizers, is continuing to grow in popularity.
“Every year it’s just getting bigger, bigger and bigger – there’s more folk supporting it,” Davidson said.
“And there’s a lot of young ones supporting it now, and that’s something we always encourage.”
The jarl squad kicked off their day with breakfast at the Sandwick Social Club before heading to Lerwick for a private visit to Sound Primary School.
The squad have a busy day of visits planned, from Cunningsburgh to Sumburgh, before the procession lights up at 7.30pm.
Organisers say due to the inclement weather, parking at the burning site will be “very limited” this evening, with those able to travel by foot encouraged to park in nearby locations and walk to the spectator viewing area.
Additional limited off-road parking will be available to those in 4×4 vehicles.
Meanwhile to keep the festivities going there will be live music at the Cunningsburgh Hall tomorrow night for the hop.
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