that's bitchville's blog

Shetland Islanders celebrate Viking legacy

Participants dressed in armour and holding Viking war-axes and shields take part in a procession during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 31, 2012.

Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. Up Helly Aa has been going since 1881.