The most epic photos from the Viking Festival in Scotland!

Up Helly Aa is the legendary Viking festival that takes place in Scotland every year. But this year he was more epic than ever! Realistic costumes, singing groups, burning ships - and all this was only the beginning of a night of walks and dances.

The Viking squadrons spent the whole day marching around Lervik, the capital of the province of Shetland, and then headed for the coastline, where they burned the ship with torches. After the ship burns down, everyone goes to rest and drink beer until dawn.

This festival is one of the most important traditions on the Shetland Islands, which were captured and colonized by Norwegian Vikings in the 8th century. Until 1472, this territory was considered a Norwegian province. Thus, locals honor their Scandinavian past.