Up Helly Aa fire festival returns to Lerwick as women and girls take part for first time

Viking-inspired parade returns to Shetland after pandemic break as ban on female participation liftedScotland’s Up Helly Aa festival – in picturesIt began with a flare fired overhead into the darkness. Then the torches erupted into flame, casting an intense orange glow over a squad of young Vikings, other boys and, for the first time, torch-carrying girls.Up Helly Aa, the Viking-inspired fire festival which has transformed the harsh dark winters on Shetland for more than 140 years, was under way. First came the junior procession, torches held aloft before being thrown onto a ceremonial Viking longship, and later came the adult parade, 900-people strong, braving gusting winds and rain.