January in July

There was a paradox in Lerwick yesterday. Most of the streets were empty during the Wimbledon Men's Final, but the very centre was packed with ... Viking warriors. A film crew was there to re-create the Up Helly Aa event that usually takes place on the last Tuesday of January. The Norsemen and their children looked splendid; the town band played on; the crowd extras were animated. The only problem was the weather - for it was, according to a local police officer, more wintry than is customary in January!

Scottish Islands Explorer - always on sale at Conochies in Commercial Street