[MR] BBC: 2026 Up Helly Aa

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble friends, especially Vikings and fellow Scots,

The 2026 edition of Up Helly Aa has come and gone. What is billed as the
largest Fire Festival in Europe is held annually at Lerwick in Scotland's
Shetland Islands on the last Tuesday night in January. Think of this as
Mardi Gras with swords and shields. It features Viking-themed parades,
colorful "Viking" costumes (really uniforms for each Jarl squad), torching
a replica Viking longship, A LOT of very modern adult beverages, and for
many the Mother of All Hangovers.

BBC is offering an illustrated story at
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8p2rjeyveo .

This year's parade leader, or Guizer Jarl, waited 18 years for the honor of
leading the parade: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4l0nez42ro .

Similar celebrations are held in other Shetland communities. Wikipedia
offers a brief history of the tradition at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_Helly_Aa .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.