Up Helly Aa

gettingtheresometime

I saw on Countryfile's, many many moons a go, a feature on the festivals and I always promised myself I'd go to one.


2017! Is the year I go so does anyone have any tips that I should take into account when planning the visit

downshifter

Watch this year's festival on the live webcams. Shetland.org. This coming Tues. but of course there are smaller ones all around the islands.

DS

gettingtheresometime

downshifter wrote: »

Watch this year's festival on the live webcams. Shetland.org. This coming Tues. but of course there are smaller ones all around the islands.

DS

Have already got it on the calandar!

I know it would be cheaper / less travelling / warmer / drier to see it on a web cam but I've wanted to go for so long I don't care (sorry Martin) .

downshifter

Completely agree. I was in Shetland a few months ago. Martin couldn't possibly object if you budget for it and you've got a year to save up. Shockingly expensive place to get to even if you're already in Scotland.

I think just being there and joining in, soaking up the atmosphere would be key. That and drinking plenty. Apart from that, book accommodation ( in Lerwick itself) and ferry or flights well in advance but hire a car if you're not taking your own, to enjoy the rest that the islands have to offer. Which is masses!!!

Big_Graeme

Start saving and book the hotel now, they are not afraid to charge.

teapotqueen

A few tips;

Book WELL in advance. Accommodation for the festival can get booked up a year in advance. I would recommend self catering or a B&B rather than hotel due to the smaller businesses having a better standard (in my opinion). Also widen your search to Scalloway, Whiteness & Weisdale & Tingwall if you are struggling to find accommodation in Lerwick.

I would personally travel up to Shetland on the Sunday (UHA always falls on the last Tuesday of January) this will allow for any travel disruptions (highly likely to have disruptions when travelling to Shetland)

Ferry vs Flying. Entirely depends on your preference. If you are prone to travel sickness then the boat will be an endurance test!! If you do choose the boat then book a cabin. Nothing worse than 12 hours on the ferry with no bed.... Also look into the costs of hiring a car vs taking your own.

Flybe do have sales so worth joining their mailing list to keep an eye out for deals. (the winter sale is finished but think they usually have a summer sale around July? I could be wrong though.) Personally I prefer flying, especially in winter.

Something many tourists aren't aware of is that tickets for Halls (where all the partying takes place after the burning/procession) go on sale months before the actual event and are mostly through word of mouth/who you know (although the Town Hall usually sells to visitors, but again, well in advance) so if you have any Shetland friends then perhaps ask them kindly to source you a ticket!

The Wednesday is known as Hop day and is a public holiday in Shetland so don't expect much to be open apart from the pubs! For those that can still carry on with the party!! Well worth getting involved if you can..:beer:

And another piece of advice, speak to as many locals as poss! When you get chatting to Shetlanders they are the friendliest people in the world! Cos you never know where it might lead, you might find yourself invited to take part (-that actually happened to a friend of mine, he wound up in fancy dress, carrying a torch and throwing it into the galley along with the other 900 men!)

If you have any other questions then feel free to ask!

Alidolly

On the night all the hotels will only accept patrons to their parties in the hotel. If you don't have a reservation and ticket, you won't get in which could mean that while you can watch the procession, you'll not be able to go to a party afterwards. I was staying in Brae the year I was up and there was only ONE pub that was allowing anyone in (without a ticket). Everywhere else was ticketed (for patrons).

There is also parties at the end of the week. That's the "ladies" night as they normally serve the men on Up Helly Aa (the guys have to go round all the hostels in Lerwick as a team and have a drink...needless to say it gets messy!). Come the end of the week, it's the ladies turn to get utterly drunk!

And yes, NOTHING will be done on the Wednesday as the men are generally "recovering". Even on the Tuesday most things close a little bit earlier so the guys can get ready.

Wear a WARM jacket, hat, gloves, scarf, another jumper and thick warm boots as its COLD standing waiting for the procession to go by.

Flights can be cancelled at short notice and can be a bit scary (took off between snow storms...told we may not be able to land at aberdeen as "I cannae see the runway...its a pea souper out there"). Better than the boat though which was stranded off Aberdeen coastline for over 17 hours in high seas and ran out of sick bags after the 2nd hour lol!