Up Helly Aa

[Flay]

In these dramatic photographs I can see adult men and male children having a great time but females appear to be confined to male hair-braiding.

Is this an accurate representation of a limited appeal?

They are all in the boat!

[amateur51]

They are all in the boat!

well I was beginning to wonder .. or are they buttering the bridge rolls ready for half-time?

[Resurrection Man]

The train journey from Glasgow to Inverness is one of the great British train journies passing through some wonderful countryside and past whisky distilleries with huge barrels emblazoned with famous names

Now that IS an opportunity missed!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Now that IS an opportunity missed!

- got there before me, ResMan!

[DracoM]

The shortest ferry link to Orkney is via Scrabster (a short bus ride from Thurso) - that to Orkney + Shetland is from Aberdeen (overnight to Shetland - highly recommend the boat) + and easy walk from Rail Station to a very civilsed Ferry terminal
Both Island groups are well worth a visit - quite different in nature though both sharing a Norse background - you need at least 2 weeks to gain even a flavour

100% endorsed.

[mangerton]

Would really love to go to Orkney. Preferably via train and ferry.
But my annual holiday entitlement is only 5 weeks.

Incidentally, there are some great "advance" train deals to Inverness, which leaves you just 110 miles shy of the ferry !!
(I know , there is a train as far as Wick...).

The train goes to Thurso as well - it used to split at Georgemas Junction - from where as Frances_iom points out it's a short hop to Scrabster for the ferry to Orkney. The train passes the Glenmorangie distillery, Carbisdale Castle which is now a youth hostel, and the imposing Dunrobin Castle. Just try to forget about the appalling acts carried out in the past by its erstwhile occupant. The train then passes through the flow country with its almost lunar landscape. It's an amazing journey from Inverness, taking the best part of four hours.

[gamba]

I filmed this strange rite many years ago - has always seemed a shame the longboat is destroyed as part of the activites. Everyone very good-natured, very few actually drunk although almost all had both feet ' off the ground.'