Up Helly Aa

The Guizer Jarl, Lyall Gair aka Sweyn 'Forkbeard' Haraldsson, in front of the burning galley at the end of the Up Helly Aa procession in Lerwick.  This is Europe's largest fire festival, and has been going on like this for over a hundred years.  Over a 1000 men (sorry, no ladies), marched in a torchlit procession before throwing their torches into the galley.  They then all go round 11 halls across the town, performing sketches and dancing until about 8am the following morning.