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Shetland Viking Chief's 18-Year Wait Ends
27 Jan
Summary
- Lynden Nicolson waits 18 years to become Shetland's Guizer Jarl.
- He is the oldest Guizer Jarl in the festival's history.
- The event celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage with a fire festival.
Lynden Nicolson is set to fulfill a nearly two-decade-long aspiration by leading the torch-lit procession at Shetland's Up Helly Aa fire festival. This marks the longest wait in the event's 145-year history for the role of Guizer Jarl, the Viking chief. Nicolson, a 58-year-old meter technician, will be followed by hundreds of torch-bearers through Lerwick streets.
The festival, celebrating the islands' Norse heritage, culminates with the fiery destruction of a handmade Viking long ship replica. To become Guizer Jarl, one must be elected to the Up Helly Aa Committee and serve for 16 years. Nicolson's turn was delayed by two years due to pandemic-related cancellations, making his wait 18 years and him the oldest ever Guizer Jarl.
Nicolson emphasized the importance of community and family in the festival's endurance. He noted his sons, who were children when he began his committee service, will now march alongside him. The Guizer Jarl assembles a 'Jarl Squad' to lead the procession, showcasing handcrafted suits and weapons.
The day's festivities include a morning procession, visits to schools and care homes, and evening entertainment with over 40 other squads. The event concludes with community hall gatherings continuing into the early morning hours.
