Museum and cafe put on series of events and dishes for Up-Helly-A’

Shetland Museum and Hay’s Dock Cafe Restaurant have put together a programme of events and special dishes to celebrate the Lerwick Up-Helly-A’.

Ian Tait kicks off events with a talk about the Men in Tights exhibition in Da Gadderie at 1.15pm on Tuesday.

He will provide further information on some of the early festival squads and explore one of the festival’s favourite disguises, men dressing up as women.

There will be a second chance to hear Dr Tait’s talk on Wednesday 28th January at the same time.

Also, from Friday 23rd to Wednesday 28th January folk can hear a talk on the origins of Up-Helly-A’ at 3pm in the upper gallery.

Hay’s Dock Cafe Restaurant is offering a range of delights to tantalise the taste buds.

A special evening menu is on offer both the weekend before and after Up-Helly-A’ and, in addition to the normal lunch menu, a range of lunch specials will be on offer the Monday to Wednesday of Up-Helly-A’ week.

All of these specials, such as salt fish and tatties and creamed rice pudding, are based on traditional Shetland recipes. On Up-Helly-A’ day itself, as well as a lunch special, there is an all day special of reestit mutton soup and bannocks which is available until 6pm. Call to book a table on (01595) 741569.

Children can get ready for the festival with a paint your own Up-Helly-A’ shield workshop on the 24th and 25th.

The day after the big event they can take part in another workshop “Thor’s Hammer” where they will learn about the Viking god Thor and make a clay hammer pendant to take away.

On Up-Helly-A’ day itself members of the Lerwick Jarl’s Squad will again be visiting the museum and archives, where they will be in Da Gadderie between 3.30 and 4.30pm.

To give visitors the chance to have a plate of reestit mutton soup before the procession, the building will be open until 6pm. For further details and to book tickets, please call (01595) 695057.