Community / Lerwick jarl squad head to Isle of Man for fire festival
THE 2026 Lerwick jarl squad are heading to the Isle of Man this weekend to take part in the island’s Oie Voaldyn festival.
The squad will become the first to take part in the event, which is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional Manx May fire festival, this weekend.
Traditionally the festival saw fire used to return fertility to the land, and to signify the welcoming of summer.
Different parades embodying winter and summer will converge on Peel beach in the island for a dramatic battle re-enactment this weekend, with summer coming out the victor.
Oie Voaldyn’s organisers said they were “delighted to welcome our esteemed visitors” from Lerwick across for the celebration this weekend.
“Bringing the jarls squad to Oie Voaldyn is a massive cultural milestone,” they said.
“‘We are thrilled they have decided to join us.”
The event will feature live music, a chance to meet historic Manx folklore characters and, of course, a torchlit procession through the island.
The jarl squad will judge and hand out prizes at the children’s costume parade on Sunday afternoon, before leading the fiery evening procession.
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.
