Lerwick Up Helly Aa

[Mag]

Those who slag it off maybe just feel a wee bit excluded?

 

Yep. Women feel a peerie bit excluded at Lerwick Up-Helly-Aa. Making tea in the halls just doesn't do it for me. The country Up-Helly-Aas are far more fun.

[JVRTENNENTS]

Sorry JVR but the Scalloway fire festival and the other country UHA's are not the same as the LK one. I am not saying it is better - only different.

 

LK has grown beyond the others to such a degree that i don't think it is what it once was. The others retain some of the original "feel" and concept of what UHA is all about. LK has lost some of that due to media invasion and tourism requirements.

 

In its defence i would say that as a spectacle it is unmatched by any of the others and it does contribute massively to the Shetland economy - what other reason would tourists have to come to Shetland in January?

 

Fair point and to be honest I do like winding you lot up aboot UHA on here and yea I dare say you like winding me up too!!

I agree it is a spectacle and I did enjoy being in the procession, the best bit aboot UHA in my opinion.

I just think sometimes the country festivals are looked down apon by not all but some people involved in UHA. Dont knock it until you`ve tried it I say and the biggest is not always the best!

[sailor]

Only 54 days to go. I can smell the parrafin.......

[clanchief]

 

I hear that there are 78 guisers in this years Lerwick Jarl's squad. An absolutely ridiculous number. If the Queens, Old Sound Hall & Islesburgh House were still open, that size of a Jarl's squad would have caused some interesting situations!

[Styles]

That is a crazy number! There should be some sort of limit.

[JVRTENNENTS]

 

I hear that there are 78 guisers in this years Lerwick Jarl's squad. An absolutely ridiculous number. If the Queens, Old Sound Hall & Islesburgh House were still open, that size of a Jarl's squad would have caused some interesting situations!

 

I pity da poor squad dat gets stuck ahint dem dat nite! Dats taking it too far!

[Marooned in Maywick]

Only 54 days to go. I can smell the parrafin.......

 

...smell.....but not spell....

[Kevin]

I agree it is a spectacle and I did enjoy being in the procession, the best bit aboot UHA in my opinion.

I just think sometimes the country festivals are looked down apon by not all but some people involved in UHA. Dont knock it until you`ve tried it I say and the biggest is not always the best!

 

Agreed!, I enjoy being in the Toonie UHA procession but the Northmavine and Brae UHA's win hands down when it comes tae havin a spree!!

[The Man]

I have to say, and i knoiw this will upset some - or a lot odf! - folk, but I prefer the outlying festivals. The squads look a bit more authentic. I mean by that they look more like you'd expect some big hairyass Viking would look like and no some 8 stone geezer with glasses like milk bottles anbd a vague and vain attempt at a beard, like i have seen in some of the Lerwick squads.

I'm bracing myself for the hatemail already, but I mean, lookit last years Bressay guizer. He LOOKED every inch a Viking (and yes, i know, he's not a Shetlander by birth, some of you. Doesnt matter a jot IMHO).

Scalloway in particular has something a bit primal about theirs, know what i mean?

[neptune]

I have to say, and i knoiw this will upset some - or a lot odf! - folk, but I prefer the outlying festivals. The squads look a bit more authentic. I mean by that they look more like you'd expect some big hairyass Viking would look like and no some 8 stone geezer with glasses like milk bottles anbd a vague and vain attempt at a beard, like i have seen in some of the Lerwick squads.

I'm bracing myself for the hatemail already, but I mean, lookit last years Bressay guizer. He LOOKED every inch a Viking (and yes, i know, he's not a Shetlander by birth, some of you. Doesnt matter a jot IMHO).

Scalloway in particular has something a bit primal about theirs, know what i mean?

 

I think the word your looking for is Neanderthol

[sailor]

only 50 days to go. I can smell the keroseen...i mean parafine

[DarkstarIII]

I have never been but would like to go.. I dont have a clue what its about to be honest.. but it sounds like fun...

[Tomblands]

I have never been but would like to go.. I dont have a clue what its about to be honest.. but it sounds like fun...

 

I'd wager that 70-80% of the UHA participants have no clue what it is about either to be honest.

[The Man]

70-80%? Thats being kind! I have read so many differenet alleged "histories" of the processions that i am SURE almost all of them have no idea wher e it came from. Still it pulls in the touroids as others have said.

[DarkstarIII]

I am looking forward to going since asking my other half about it, he isnt really interested in going... he went when he was peerie but I would like to experience it! ...