American Reacts Up Helly Aa Festival In the Shetland Islands, Scotland REACTION

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:04]Before we get on with this particular reaction video, shout out to the Shetland Islands. I remember the name this time. I won't forget. All right, now, on that note, uh I did a reaction video about a month ago where uh I checked it was called uh the only country that celebrates World War II occupation and it was the the Faroe Islands.

[00:00:26]Um so that was a very interesting story. That was that was very uh cool.

[00:00:33]But I saw a comment. Where is it? Where is it? There it is.

[00:00:37]Uh and it's from Ian who says, "I'm from Shetland and you should definitely react to the Up Helly Aa celebrations."

[00:00:46]I'm not sure how to say that. I've I'm I want to I either wanted to say Up Helly Aa or Up Helly Aa.

[00:00:55]I don't know. Somebody's got to help me out with that cuz it's just Aa at at the end there. But um anyway, those celebrations, uh crazy Viking fire festivals in Shetland every winter.

[00:01:06]So, that definitely piqued my interest.

[00:01:10]I was like, "I have to check this out."

[00:01:12]So, thank you, Ian, for uh posting that comment. I really appreciate it. So, on that note, I have uh a reaction here to do and that is about the festival of Up Helly Aa.

[00:01:31]Up Helly Aa, I don't know. How do you say that?

[00:01:35]Anyway, um but yeah, they have this uh festival every year and I haven't previewed this.

[00:01:41]I just have this ready. I I haven't sneaked in there uh with any frames or anything to see what's in here. Going into this other kind of blind other than the clue that Ian gave me that it's a fire festival, Viking kind of stuff, which I think is very cool. And it makes sense it makes sense that the Vikings would have visited these places for sure. Absolutely.

[00:02:01]And the people that live there are probably descended from that. So, uh with Scottish accents maybe, I don't know. What Let me know what a Shetland accent is.

[00:02:12]Cuz um you know, much like England, I know that Scotland has different variations of of their accents as well.

[00:02:19]So, this is uh from the channel Panasonic and it's called the Festival of Up Helly Aa.

[00:02:25]Uh with English subtitles, but um I'm very excited to check this out.

[00:02:32]Always excited to check it. As soon as I heard this, I was like, I have to see this. So, and I want to be I want to be the first reactor, if you will, to visit these islands, by the way. So, I'm going to try to make that happen one day. So, here we go. Like, subscribe, do whatever you guys want, and let's check it out.

[00:02:56]In the far north eastern part of Scotland lies my home.

[00:03:01]With an awesome view of the Atlantic Ocean.

[00:03:05]With over 100 rugged islands, just 15 inhabited, this is Shetland.

[00:03:16]Oh, look at that.

[00:03:19]I think those are indigenous um like shaggy horses that live there, right? I forget I don't know what they're called, though.

[00:03:28]After a long, cold, dark winter, the people here are preparing for the biggest celebration of their year, the festival of Up Helly Aa. Up Helly Aa, okay.

[00:03:39]So, got confirmation there. Up Helly Aa.

[00:03:43]It's such a unique name.

[00:03:50]Up Helly Aa is an expression of our culture, which runs through the veins of the people here.

[00:03:56]It started over 131 years ago, a magical celebration of Shetland history, and a demonstration of our skills and spirit.

[00:04:06]It lasts just one day and night, but it takes 364 days to organize and exists on hard work and the goodwill of many people.

[00:04:16]I I'm sorry.

[00:04:18]I'm sorry. I feel giddy. I am So, for some reason I just became over I I've been overcome with excitement watching this. I'm so excited to see what this is.

[00:04:30]We build a galley ship. Queen Boomer would be loving this right now.

[00:04:34]>> shields, and axes.

[00:04:36]Much of the preparation is in the strictest secrecy.

[00:04:41]The biggest secret of all is what the head of the festival, the Guizer Jarl, will wear and what character from Norse saga he will represent. Look at that stuff, man.

[00:05:04]Each Jarl is elected 15 years in advance, and he will be planning and saving for what is the longest and most enjoyable day of his life.

[00:05:12]I have had the privilege of being Guizer Jarl, and the emotions of leading my Jarl squad will stay with me for life.

[00:05:21]Ah, the bagpipes.

[00:05:24]Woah. Um well, I'm senior too. I'm junior Jarl 2018, and it felt kind of surreal, the whole thing. Like leading the squad after all the build-up and it actually happening.

[00:05:34]Maybe in the future if I was given an opportunity, I might be senior Jarl.

[00:05:37]Those kids are men now, cuz this was 2018.

[00:05:41]It's very important. I was I grew up with Up Helly Aa in my life since I was a small child. And through the years, I've just been a in a squad member. I joined the committee, and then through the committee, I've been there 13 years, and today it's a privilege to be a Guizer Jarl. And for my family, they're excited. We're all excited. The squad's inside. We're ready to go. Yo, dude.

[00:06:03]This is so [ __ ] cool.

[00:06:06]I have to see that. When is When does this take place?

[00:06:12]And I haven't even seen the fire yet.

[00:06:14]Hold on.

[00:06:15]When is the Up Helly uh Up Helly Aa. I said, "Aa." Aha, like I'm Alan Partridge.

[00:06:25]Uh the Hup Up Helly Aa.

[00:06:27]Europe's largest fire festival. Really?

[00:06:30]In Europe? Holy [ __ ] Takes place annually on the last Tuesday in January.

[00:06:38]So, There's also When is that When is the Ba game in the Kirkwall Ba' game. Yeah, that's in Orkney.

[00:06:57]Yes.

[00:07:00]That's on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

[00:07:04]Cuz I wanted to see that as well.

[00:07:08]But uh when is the Helly uh I just wanted to read what the rest of the uh AI overview said. So, it takes place in the last Tuesday in January.

[00:07:21]Uh So, in 2026, well, it already happened.

[00:07:26]January 27th.

[00:07:28]While Lerwick is the largest uh several other Up Helly Aa fire festival uh occur across Shetland between January and March.

[00:07:43]More. More. More Shetland. More. As the sun sets on Shetland, over 900 guys just form ranks on the darkened streets, waiting for the Yarl and his squad to emerge from the town hall.

[00:07:57]The torches are lit and the streets become a sea of >> Holy [ __ ] >> day we've all been waiting for begins.

[00:08:06]Oh my god.

[00:08:14]I have I have to see this in person.

[00:08:16]Please tell me that um the good people of Shetland let outsiders witness this. Please please tell me that they let outsiders witness this amazing thing. I'm just stunned. Look at this. begins. Look at Look at all that fire, dude.

[00:08:44]Oh my god.

[00:08:47]That is amazing.

[00:08:50]I got to show Queen Boomer this. This is [ __ ] incredible.

[00:08:55]She would be loving this right now, especially since she's got Viking blood in her veins.

[00:09:14]I love the music that they put in this as well. This is so [ __ ] cool.

[00:09:30]Oh, are they torching the boat?

[00:09:54]>> I have to say this.

[00:10:16]And then >> Up-Helly-Aa is a special day for me and my people.

[00:10:20]And then the sun rises and you get to look at that. God, Scotland is so [ __ ] beautiful, man. And a tradition that must be handed down from generation to generation so it can continue for many years to come.

[00:10:37]That's amazing.

[00:10:38]That's That's incredible. I'm stunned.

[00:10:41]That Thank you, Ian, for pointing me in this direction.

[00:10:45]So, I know one person from Shetland.

[00:10:48]Um Ian.

[00:10:49]So, anyway, that is incredible. I do have another video, but I think I'm going to about the festival, but I think I'm going to save that In fact, I'm going to save this one as well.

[00:11:05]But, there's one that I haven't watched yet, but I'm going to save that one for Queen Boomer cuz I have to show her those. She's She is going to die when she sees this.

[00:11:17]In fact, when I show her this, she's going to be like, "When is it? When we're going?"

[00:11:21]We have to see if we're if outsiders are allowed to see it. I I don't know.

[00:11:26]But, that is incredible.

[00:11:31]That made my [ __ ] day. That made my week.

[00:11:34]And I'm recording this on a Tuesday.

[00:11:37]So, nothing's going to top this. That was awesome.

[00:11:42]So, let me take another look at the Shetland Islands here.

[00:11:48]Shetland Islands.

[00:11:52]Yeah, they're they're the furthest ones north.

[00:11:58]If you don't count the the Faroe Islands, but the Faroe Islands are uh not Scotland.

[00:12:07]And then yeah, Orkney is is is the one below. So, that's where the Kirkwall ba' game is uh played. And then there's other islands, too.

[00:12:18]Um What is it? Uh Lewis and Ha- I knew I know somebody from Harris. Somebody from the Harris's uh chimed in in the comments.

[00:12:28]But, I don't know what these islands are called, though. Here uh on There are on the uh west coast of uh northern Scotland.

[00:12:40]I can't I can't I don't know what It's not saying uh The Outer Hebrides? Is that what it's it says?

[00:12:48]And then there's the Hebrides, which are lower, a smaller group of islands. I don't know.

[00:12:55]I feel like I'm becoming obsessed with Scotland. Scotland is just so goddamn gorgeous.

[00:13:01]Um But, anyway, what are the So, it looks like there's quite a bit of towns, including Twatt.

[00:13:13]There's a town called Twatt in the Shetland Islands. I see it right here.

[00:13:17]So, it looks like there's uh some small towns and stuff all over these islands.

[00:13:28]Very cool.

[00:13:29]Very cool. Um I must say that was that was incredible. Dude, I love they're they they they keep their armor shiny, too. It's um It actually looks kind of fancy in a lot of ways. But uh no, I got to show Queen Boudica. That was That was such a treat.

[00:13:48]Just another reason why I have to go to Scotland, man.

[00:13:51]Um amazing amazing place.

[00:13:54]Anyway, I could I could fawn over Scotland for [ __ ] weeks. So, I won't bore you with that. But uh anyway, thank you Ian for sending me that. That was That was awesome. All right. So, remember to like, subscribe, do whatever you guys want, and I will see you again soon. Have a great day and stay safe.

[00:14:10]Peace.