UPDATE: Norik Up-Helly-A’
Alistair Munro
The most northerly Up-Helly-A’ – Norik in Unst – has gotten under way.
This year’s Jarl Michael Thomson has had to wait two years before leading the festival – due to the Covid pandemic.
The 30-year-old salmon worker represents Thorfinn Skullsplitter, a tenth century Earl of Orkney.
He has made 14 appearances in the Jarl’s Squad, including when his father was Jarl in 2001. His father and other family members are among his own squad.
The galley name Saito is named after a place in Unst.
The suits feature blue tunics and chainmail. The jarl and his sons are wearing white sheepskins and boots. The remainder of the squad have black sheepskins and boots. The shields are also black.
Jarl Squad members Reece and Scott Thomson, the Jarls two boys. Photo: Desley Stickle
Squad member Tiylor Owen meets up with his family, Oliviah, Ryan, Abbeigh and Kelly. Photo: Desley Stickle
The Norik Up-Helly-A’ dates back to 1985.
The procession takes place in Haroldwick at 7.30pm. There are 13 squads in total, with 121 guizers.
