Cluness prepared for weather

Guizer Jarl Ivor Cluness has reiterated the Up-Helly-A’s long-held mantra “there will be no postponement for weather” – despite the threat of force 8 gales at tomorrow night’s procession.

Mr Cluness insisted he was optimistic conditions would prove favourable during the day’s events.

“The weather will be what the weather is, but we’ll worry about that tomorrow. But there is no cancellation, regardless,” he said during the annual press conference at the galley building shed.

“We managed to get our photos taken yesterday. We were going to go to Yell, but the weather didn’t allow us to do that. But we got initial photos taken in the Gilbertson Park, and we went to St Ninian’s Isle. The photos should be pretty spectacular.

“I was a member of Alex Johnson’s squad in 2003, which was reported as being the wettest weather that’s been. If we coped with that we’ll cope with anything.”

His comments follow harsh conditions over the weekend which saw winds reach up to hurricaine force causing damage and travel disruption.

The Lerwick observatory warned high winds would continue on Tuesday, with gales reaching Force 8 in the evening.