In Pictures: The Fire Festivals Of Shetland

Every year, communities all throughout Shetland gather together for a series of magnificent and distinctive fiery festivals between January and March. The Up Helly Aa fire festivals rank among Shetland's biggest annual celebrations. Communities from all across the islands come together for a night of traditional Shetland music, torchlit street dancing, and guizing (costumes). This festival takes its cues from Shetland's Viking heritage. A series of locally organised events dubbed the 12 Up Helly Aas take place between January and March, drawing visitors from all over the world.