Vikings venture south

Red alert! The Vikings are coming.

Shetland may be a part of Scotland (officially) but it is worlds and centuries away in many of its customs and beliefs. Like this fiery ritual each January, Up Helly Aa.

But not everyone can make it so far north that you're almost in Norway, so this year Shetland has come to Glasgow. Recently the locals got a taste of Scotland’s Norse history this week as a squad of Shetland Vikings descended on the city for an exciting and rambunctious visit.  The ancient Scottish islanders were in Scotland’s largest city for some pampering and relaxation (epic beard trim anyone?!) ahead of the Follow the Vikings events this September.

To celebrate Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, the Vikings also met the locals to talk about Shetland’s Follow the Vikings festival, taking place this September.  Held over two weekends, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Scotland’s rich Viking legacy on Unst, Britain’s most northerly island and one of the Vikings first landing places in the North Atlantic, and in Lerwick, Shetland’s capital.

The Unst Viking Festival, 2-3 September, will feature the local Viking squad joined by visiting Vikings - Ardglass from Northern Ireland (featured in the TV series Vikings) and Walhalla from Poland. Visitors can expect re-enactments of Viking combat and a re-creation of Viking life around the replica longhouse and longship at Haroldswick, Unst.  Local re-enactors and crafts people will add to the atmosphere of a busy Viking community.  A Viking Feast will be held on the Saturday evening featuring Viking food and entertainment!

Watch this short video to see Shetland heroes enjoying a leisurely bike tour by the river Clyde, a visit to the spectacular Riverside Museum, some hipster styling at House Martin Barbers, and a few well-earned cocktails and food at the beautiful Spanish Butcher restaurant. The video highlights Scotland’s rich and varied history, as well showcasing the country’s modern, progressive and lively culture.

The Viking Activity Day will take place at Shetland Museum and Archives (SMAA), Lerwick on 9 September.  It will consist of talks, workshops and re-enactments for all the family. The SMAA will go totally “Viking” for the day, with particular emphasis on the Norse elements of the SMAA collections.   A Viking-themed meal will be held in Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant in the evening; illustrating the best of contemporary cuisine with a Nordic twist, presided over by the Lerwick Up-Helly-Aa Guizer Jarl in his role as King Sweyn Forkbeard.

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