Thousands of people are due to gather for the world famous Up Helly Aa fire festival on Shetland.
The spectacle, which attracts visitors from around the globe, takes place in Lerwick on the last Tuesday of January each year.
Hundreds of people wearing winged helmets, sheepskins and carrying axes and shields march through the streets of the town to recreate its ancient Viking past, in a tradition dating back to the 19th century.
Volunteers are responsible for the building of the galley boat and the
production of more than 1,000 torches.
Those taking part in the festival spend the night visiting a host of celebrations in halls around the town.
The festival stems from the 1870s when a group of young local men wanted to put new ideas into Shetland’s Christmas celebrations.
