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By Genevieve WhiteJanuary 24th 2025

On the same day as Lerwick's famous fire festival a Junior Up Helly Aa is held with it's own Jarl's Squad of Vikings and a torchlit procession. Among those involved is a squad of youngsters from Anderson High School's Additional Support Needs Department. Read on to discover why it means so much to them and the community.

What makes Up Helly Aa special? It’s not just the spectacular burning of the galley and the farewell to winter that it represents. Or the epic night of partying that follows.

No, it’s the community spirit that gives this world-famous festival the edge.

At Up Helly Aa, there’s a place for everyone.

Burning barriers

Inside a shed on the outskirts of Lerwick, a group of young people listen intently, their faces radiating excitement. They are being briefed on what to expect from participation in Up Helly Aa, the biggest and most well-known of Shetland’s annual fire festivals.

These young people make up squad 14 in this year’s Junior Up Helly Aa torchlit procession. Named “Dis is Wis”, this squad includes eight pupils from the Additional Support Needs department at Lerwick’s Anderson High School.

For the first time in 2024, an ASN squad joined the junior procession. Clearly, it was an unforgettable experience, and many of those participants have returned for more in 2025.

For returning squad member 14-year-old Erin Miller, taking part in Up Helly Aa is a long-held dream. Growing up in an "Up Helly Aa family" (her grandfather was Guizer Jarl) she loved listening to her mum’s stories about the festival. Erin was regularly taken to the Galley Shed, where volunteers painstakingly build a replica longboat, which is revealed on Up Helly Aa morning only to be burnt the very same day after the torchlit procession.

It is a spectacular event but when Erin went to the procession, she found she was unable to cope with the loud bangs of the fireworks.

Last year, Erin faced up to her fear and put her name down to be in a squad. When she found they had been selected, she and the squad members were “all in big shock”.

What followed for Erin and the others was unforgettable. From the meetings where they discussed their costume choices to the galley burning and the hop (the post-event dance and party), the whole experience allowed each squad member to be fully included while getting the support they needed.

Erin’s confidence was so boosted she even stood in this year’s Junior Jarl election, the first female ever to do so.

What followed for Erin and the others was unforgettable... Erin’s confidence was so boosted she even stood in this year’s Junior Jarl election, the first female ever to do so.

Family connections

Now Erin and the rest of the squad (Holly Miller, Connor Robertson, Louie Coyne, Connor Kennedy, Sonny White and Teegan Compston) have returned for a second year.

Many of the squad members have family connections with Up Helly Aa and are clearly delighted to have the opportunity to take part themselves.

Connor Kennedy’s Aunty Carole has helped to make the suits for the Junior Jarl squad, and Connor Robertson’s grandad will be Jarl of the Norwick Up Helly Aa in 2029. Sonny has been helping to make the torches for the festival, supported by his dad and grandad, both committed Up Helly Aa participants.

Asked what their favourite part of the night is, “seeing the galley burn” is a popular answer.

“I like seeing the colours of the galley on the night,” says 13-year-old Louis Coyne.

The addition of the ASN squad came about organically, as committee member John Angus explains: "They just put in their squad form like anyone else... it came from them."

The festival committee, recognising the need to accommodate diverse needs, held separate, quieter meetings to prepare the ASN squad. John adds: "We came up with that idea of a separate mass meeting for them [... ] just themselves and us for half an hour so that it was kind of quieter before everyone else arrives.”

The committee took care to accommodate the squad, discussing additional needs that might arise during the procession, ensuring everyone could enjoy the event fully. This proactive approach was met with positive feedback, as families and participants felt included and supported.

Further enhancing the experience for the squad members, the committee introduced tailored resources.

Martin Summers, Junior Up Helly Aa chairperson explains: "We got money to be able to make an informational cartoon as some of the squad members learn visually”. Additionally, sensory boxes were developed to provide tactile experiences linked to the festival's elements, helping participants familiarise themselves with what to expect.

These innovations were not only about accessibility but also about enriching the community's understanding and acceptance.

"Because of the Shetland Charitable Trust funding we got, we were able to buy in support from Ability Shetland... so all of our volunteers have had training," says Martin.

As the festival continues to evolve, these inclusive practices are set to expand, ensuring that Up Helly Aa remains a vibrant and welcoming celebration for all.

Smiles and happiness

In John’s view, it’s all about breaking down barriers. He says: “I’m sure that 4 or 5 years ago, a lot of ASN pupils would’ve thought it [participating in Up Helly Aa] was not for them. So it's good to see they're showing everyone else that there's no barriers to joining the junior festival.”

For Martin, the inclusion of young people with additional support needs simply makes a happier festival. He says: “It's the smiles. Like, if you look at that video that Erin did , you can see how happy they are. And, you know, the feedback from the community was just how happy folk were seeing Erin and her peers getting involved. That makes people happy. And it’s great for the community as well.”

Enjoy our gallery from the Junior Up Helly Aa procession and burning in 2023. Each year the event is led by a Junior Jarl's Squad with scores of schoolchildren participating.

Back in the Junior Galley Shed, members of Squad 14 are taken into an adjoining room where they’re shown how best to hold the heavy wooden torches (securing them in a tin can carried at waist height is recommended).

Through the week the preparation continues, as volunteers will email a video of a flare being set off, to prepare the young people for the noise and sounds they’ll experience on the night of Up Helly Aa.

Watching volunteers interact with the excited youngsters is a genuinely heart-warming sight. It’s the spirit of Up Helly Aa in action, and a reminder of why Shetland is one of the best communities you could hope to be a part of.

What happens on Lerwick Up Helly Aa day?

The last Tuesday in January is probably the busiest day of the year in Lerwick, as the Up Helly Aa and Junior Up Helly Aa fire festivals are held.

With morning processions, community visits and torchlit processions followed by a full night of celebrations the event is a spectacular occasion.

To discover just what to expect on Up Helly Aa day check out our blog post.

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