A second-generation Viking will lead a procession of 15,000 torchbearers through Edinburgh on December 29, 2023, as part of the city’s traditional Hogmanay celebrations. Michael Farmer, the Guizer Jarl of the Shetland Vikings, has been involved in the Up Helly Aa festival since childhood and is now prepared to take center stage in the Torchlight Procession, which features drummers, fire performers, and street theatre.
Farmer, 36, has participated in the South Mainland Up Helly Aa festival on Shetland since he was four years old, joining his father in the parade. While he has been part of various Viking squads, this marks his first time leading the Edinburgh procession. “I think it’s going to be a lot to take in,” he expressed, noting the overwhelming scale of the event. “We’ve been looking at videos from previous years, and it’s just overwhelming, really. So we’re all really excited about it.”
Preparation for this significant event has been extensive. Farmer and his team of 41 adults and six children dedicated months to crafting their Viking costumes, hand-knitting an impressive 60,000 pieces of chainmail for the occasion. Working up to four nights a week, they collaborated to design and create their intricate outfits from scratch, with only the boots and cloaks purchased. Farmer, a joiner by trade, highlighted the value of his skills in this endeavor, stating, “A lot of it wasn’t things we’d done before, working with the leather and chainmail, that was an experience.”
The culmination of their efforts will be showcased during the procession, which will travel from The Meadows to Castle Terrace. The excitement surrounding the event has prompted some squad members to speculate that it might surpass the Up Helly Aa festival itself. “Some of the squad reckon it’s going to be better than Up Helly Aa, but we’ll see about that,” Farmer added.
Reflecting on his experiences, Farmer recalled the thrill of being part of a Jarl squad, particularly during his first appearance as a toddler. “I remember it being very cold,” he said, with a nostalgic smile. As he grew older, participation in the festival became a cherished tradition, allowing him to share the experience with his daughter, Libby, 3, and other family members who also joined as Viking princesses.
The Up Helly Aa festival culminates with the ceremonial burning of a wooden galley ship, an experience Farmer describes as unforgettable. “Standing in the galley with 500 torches circling you is something I’ll never forget,” he said. This year, the Shetland Vikings will bring their treasured traditions to Edinburgh, lighting up the city with their passionate performances.
With 15,000 torchbearers set to illuminate the evening, the Torchlight Procession promises to be a spectacular highlight of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities. As the community comes together to celebrate, Farmer and his squad are ready to embrace the spirit of the Vikings, reinforcing the cultural ties that bind their heritage to this vibrant event.
