'Vikings' burn boats as festival gets underway on Scottish island | AFP

Squads take part in the 'Up Helly Aa' festival in Shetland's main town of Lerwick, which celebrates the Scottish islands' Viking past. The event, first held in 1881, is known for its festive parties that involve traditional Shetland dancing and copious alcohol consumption. The procession culminates in the participants using their flaming torches to set ablaze a replica Viking longship. Interested in licensing this video ? Get in touch 👉 http://u.afp.com/wvnD N.B.: AFP’s services and content are for professional use only