The influence of the Vikings is, of course, everywhere. The ancient Viking parliament, the Althing, once met near Scalloway and even today, Norse Udal law still plays a role in Shetland life. The Norse influence is also noticeable in the Shetland dialect and on place names and on the last Tuesday of January, Vikings roam the streets of Lerwick at the annual fire festival, Up Helly Aa. This is the world's biggest fire festival and involves a torchlight procession dragging a Viking longship through the streets before setting it alight in spectacular fashion and retiring to the local halls for a night of revelry.

These dramatic celebrations are a sight to behold but they pale in comparison to the islands' breathtiking natural wonders. Shetland is home ot a wealth of wildlife including well over a million birds, of which there are over 600,000 fulars and over 200,000 puffins. The incredible risdent population, coupled with some unusual migrants, makes the islands a twitcher's paradise!

Find out more at http://www.visitshetland.com.