Viking descendants formed a torchlight procession before sacrificing a longship at the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands. The festival, which began in 1870, celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands. Shetland and neighbouring island Orkney were ruled by the Norse for about 500 years until they became part of Scotland in 1468.
Up Helly Aa is held on the last Tuesday in January every year, whatever the weather. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' - men in Viking costume - throwing flaming torches into a Viking longship.