It began with a flare fired overhead into the darkness. Then the torches erupted into flame, casting an intense orange glow over a squad of young Vikings, other boys and, for the first time, torch-carrying girls.
Up Helly Aa, the Viking-inspired fire festival which has transformed the harsh dark winters on Shetland for more than 140 years, was under way. First came the junior procession, torches held aloft before being thrown on to a ceremonial Viking longship, and later came the adult parade, 900-people strong, braving gusting winds, sleet and rain.
