Scotland: Up Helly Aa
25th Jan 2026
Key Highlights
- The fiery festival of Up Helly Aa
- 3000 years of archaeological history at Jarlshof
- The dramatic, rugged scenery of Yell & Unst
- The picturesque village of Scalloway
Summary
A wander through the streets of Lerwick is normally a quiet, peaceful experience, but take a walk there at the end of January and it’s quite likely that you will bump into a squad of very large, very bearded Vikings, resplendent in gleaming chain-mail and winged helmets. Later, the Vikings and their fancy-dressed followers fill the narrow streets, their flaming torches illuminating the dark winter skies, their boisterous songs filling the air. A 30-foot Viking longship is carried aloft before it is set alight with a thousand blazing brands. As the sky over Lerwick shimmers with heat and light, fireworks explode, brass bands play and the gloom of winter is lifted for another year.
This is Up Helly Aa, the annual winter festival of Shetland, which celebrates the lengthening of the days and the coming of another year, not to mention the chance of a good old knees-up. It’s run by Shetlanders for Shetlanders, but that’s not to say visitors aren’t welcome and the island hospitality will be as warm as ever.
Shetland is a beguiling place to visit at any time but in the short winter days the islands take on a special character with steely grey seas and dramatic skies. During our stay we will take in the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof to the south, and tour as far as the islands of Yell and Unst to the north. Up Helly Aa itself is on the Tuesday, when we will have the day free to enjoy the various events in Lerwick, culminating in the torchlight procession and boat burning ceremony in the evening, the highlight of an unusual and uplifting winter break in this distant corner of Scotland. We are based at the Scalloway Hotel, a friendly, family-run hotel overlooking the waterfront of Shetland's former capital. You may also upgrade to the Shetland Hotel in Lerwick, located within walking distance of the town centre, making it the ideal base for those wish to enjoy the Up Helly Aa festivities to the full.
We offer a choice of two hotels. The Scalloway Hotel is a friendly, family-run hotel overlooking the waterfront in Shetland’s former capital, six miles from Lerwick
You may also wish to upgrade to an outside cabin on the ferry and enjoy sea views from the comfort of your cabin.
Shetland Hotel upgrade supplement: £150pp
Outside cabin supplement: £60pp
What's included
- Accommodation
- Services of a professional tour manager
- Comfortable coach travel throughout
- Meals - as per the itinerary
- All visits as outlined in the itinerary
- Ferry crossings
Meet your tour manager
David MacLennan
Since retiring from full time employment David has worked as a tour manager and guide throughout Europe and the UK. David is one of our most experienced and popular tour managers and we are sure you will enjoy his company, enthusiasm and expertise throughout the trip. If you're lucky he may even wear his kilt!
Day by Day Itinerary
We depart from our designated departure points and travel to Aberdeen where we will join the Serco Northlink ferry (Hrossey or Hjaltland) for the 1700 hrs overnight sailing to Lerwick. Accommodation is provided in comfortable 2-berth cabins with en-suite facilities. Dinner is served on board in the evening.
Meals includedDinner
Departure Routes
| Location | Pickup Time | Dropoff Time |
|---|---|---|
| To be advised | 00:00 | 00:00 |
| Glasgow, Bus stop on North Hanover Street (George Square end), opposite Queen Street Station | 08:45 | 14:15 |
| Edinburgh, Outside reception of the Delta by Marriott Hotel, Glasgow Road | 10:00 | 13:00 |
| Dunfermline, Halbeath Park & Ride, Jct 3, M90 | 10:30 | 12:30 |
| Kinross, Moto Services, M90 | 11:00 | 12:00 |
| Perth, Broxden Park & Ride, A93 | 11:30 | 11:30 |
| Dundee, Outside Discovery Point, Riverside Drive | 12:45 | 10:15 |
| Forfar, Bus stop off the A90, near McDonalds | 13:15 | 09:45 |
| Stonehaven, Market Square | 14:15 | 08:45 |
| Aberdeen, Northlink Ferry Terminal, Jamiesons Quay | 15:00 | 08:00 |
** Please note that all timings are approximate and subject to change. Final timings and pick-up points will be confirmed with your joining instructions approximately 10 days prior to departure. **
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