Up Helly Aa Fire Festival Procession

© Hugh Harrop / Shetland Wildlife

Up Helly Aa, Lerwick, Shetland

Up Helly Aa & Shetland's Winter Wildlife 2025

A unique 5-day holiday combining Britain's biggest fire festival and torchlight procession with some wonderful wildlife-watching.

Fancy doing something completely different in January 2025? Want to watch Otters feeding in beautiful secluded bays or watch snowy-white Arctic Hares in frosty heather? Want to experience winter at 60 degrees North with the heat of Europe's largest Viking fire festival to keep you warm? Then look no further than our 'Up Helly Aa' & Shetland's Winter Wildlife holiday.

DAY 1  Saturday - Welcome Dinner

Late afternoon / early evening rendezvous at the Sumburgh Hotel. During our orientation dinner we will run through our planned itinerary and enthuse over the exciting prospects the days ahead offer. Overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel.

DAY 2  Sunday - South Mainland

After a filling breakfast we spend the day in the south Mainland, seeking out our common winter residents: Black Guillemots, Whooper Swans, Greylag Geese, Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneye, Great Northern Divers, Eiders, Purple Sandpipers and Golden Plovers should all be seen in good numbers. Mammal buffs will be entertained by scores of both Common and Grey Seals and if sea conditions are calm enough, Harbour Porpoise. Endless flocks of 'larids' should also keep us entertained and among them we would hope to find both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. Overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel.

DAY 3  Monday - West & North Mainland Otter Quest

We head for the sheltered inlets of the north and west Mainland to search for Otters. Shetland is the north European stronghold for this species and we're fortunate to have a population in excess of a thousand individuals. Our knowledge of their movements and feeding habits is second to none and we hope to give you some truly outstanding views. In recent winters we've found several sites with family groups - our tried and tested field craft of reading tracks and following tides pays dividends! In our quest to find these striking animals, a number of arctic-breeding birds will also be on view - Slavonian Grebes winter in just a handful of secluded bays, as do diminutive Little Auks. We end our day by visiting a roost site for the majestic and highly secretive Long-eared Owl. Overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel.

DAY 4  Tuesday - Up Helly Aa - Lerwick Fire Festival

A day of festivities! With the Raven Banner hanging from Lerwick Town Hall and scores of local men magnificently dressed as Vikings you may well think that the clock has turned back 1,200 years! We spend the morning enjoying the Guizer Jarl's parade and admire the huge Galley built for the 2025 festival. We take a break to view an impressive gathering of Grey Seals and should also find Glaucous and Iceland Gulls nearby. We'll also search the Tingwall Valley for Arctic Hares, which at this time of year, are dressed in their white winter coats. As dusk approaches and the atmosphere builds, we ensure ourselves a grandstand view of the Up Helly Aa climax. Under the black winter skies, over 800 colourfully attired guizers muster and carry their burning torches through the streets of Lerwick, producing a riot of colour. The Galley is towed to its last resting place and the ranks of guizers encircle the doomed longship. A bugle calls and, as the last note is sounded, blazing torches are flung in a shower of fire and flame to a proud rendering of "The Norseman's Home". As the chants and songs continue, the inferno consumes the ship until she's no more than a scattering of ashes. We return to the hotel for our farewell dinner and hope that we can end the holiday by showing you one of nature's most beautiful gifts - the Aurora Borealis. Overnight at the Sumburgh Hotel.

DAY 5  Wednesday

After breakfast we'll transfer you to Sumburgh airport, or make arrangements for you to travel to your onward destination in Shetland. Alternatively you may wish to extend your stay and we are happy to make any necessary arrangements for additional tours, accommodation, car hire etc. 

2024 Operating Date:

Sat 25 January - Wed 29 January 2025

We are winners of the Tourism & Environment Thistle Award - the highest accolade in Scottish Tourism - and rated as 'Excellent' by our customers on TripAdvisor.

From £1295 per adult


Departure days

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday

January — January

Contact details

Shetland Wildlife

Windy Stacks
Quendale
Shetland
UK
ZE2 9JD

Tour information

Starting

  • Mainland, Shetland
  • Shetland

Length

5 Days

Transport

  • Driver guide
  • Minibus

Type

  • Small Group (1-16)

Languages

  • English

Themes

  • Adventure
  • Geology
  • History
  • Landscapes
  • Outdoor Activities
  • Photography
  • Walking
  • Walking/Hiking
  • Wildlife

Tour prices


From £1295 Per Adult £1295 Per Child £1295 Concession

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Shetland Wildlife

Tour company information

Shetland Wildlife

Founded in 1993, we are the No.1 choice for birding, mammal, botanical, photographic and walking holidays in Shetland. Choose from over 40 3-day and 7-day wildlife-filled holidays. Day tours plus bespoke packages also arranged. We are the only award-winning eco-tourism holiday business resident in Shetland and rated as 'Excellent' by our customers on TripAdvisor. Visit us online at www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk

Opening times

Open Year Round 1 Jan - 31 Dec

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