Shetland one of the top 5 to grow up as a girl.... Not if you would like to be part of Lerwick Up Helly Aa.

[Spinner72]

AFAIK, there is nothing written that states "females cannot take part" and, as for being "allowed" to take part, one way or another, you have to be "invited" into a squad and no one, male or female, can join a squad as a "right". 

 

The above is true of ALL the local fire festivals (including the one that does not (presently) allow female participants to be Jarls)

 

Just a note that it is, as I understand it, only the 3 bigger Up Helly Aa's that this applies to. Lerwick, Delting and the South Mainland, and is purely due to keeping the numbers manageable.

 

I can vouch for several of the others that anyone can enter with a squad, or join a squad, so long as they follow the guidelines of that particular festival.

[BigMouth]

Set up your own UHA.  Do it indoors, so you won't get cold or wet.  Don't have helmets so you won't risk Hat Hair.  Make sure that there is plenty of car parking so you won't have to walk far.  Just a few ideas to get you going.