Up Helly Aa 2027

Our Up Helly Aa tour from Edinburgh has two departure dates in 2026, so the order of activities may vary depending on your chosen departure. Instead of a set day-by-day itinerary, we’ve provided an overview of the experiences included in the tour. If you would like a detailed itinerary for your specific departure, please feel free to contact us.

Journey from Edinburgh to Shetland

Leaving Scotland’s capital behind, we head north, stopping for a view of the iconic Forth Bridge before travelling through the Kingdom of Fife. We take a break in St Andrews, the Home of Golf, where you can explore the magnificent ruins of its 12th-century cathedral.

We continue along the dramatic east coast to Dunnottar Castle, perched high on the cliffs above the North Sea. We then travel on to Aberdeen, where we board the overnight ferry to Shetland and settle in for the crossing. (Overnight: Ferry)

Exploring Shetland

Shetland is a place of rugged coastlines, rich history, and incredible wildlife. Over the next four days, we’ll explore some of the best it has to offer:

Eshaness & Hillswick – Shetland’s wild west, where towering cliffs and crashing waves make for some of the most spectacular scenery on the islands.

Sumburgh Head & Jarlshof – A walk to the top of Shetland’s oldest lighthouse, with sweeping views over the sea, followed by a visit to one of Scotland’s most extraordinary prehistoric sites, where over 4000 years of history sit side by side.

Lunna – A remote and peaceful peninsula with a secret wartime past. Lunna was base for the World War II Shetland Bus operation, where fishing boats smuggled spies, saboteurs, and supplies into Norway.

Scalloway – The ancient capital of Shetland, home to Scalloway Castle and a fascinating museum telling the story of the islands.

St Ninian’s Isle – A stunning beach leading to a tidal island, where a hoard of Pictish treasure was discovered in the 1950s.

Lerwick & Local Life – Shetland’s capital, where you’ll have time to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy live traditional music in the pubs, and browse local crafts, including famous Shetland wool.

(Overnights: Lerwick)


Up Helly Aa – Shetland’s Viking Fire Festival (Tuesday 27 January 2026)

The big day! Up Helly Aa is an unforgettable spectacle, with Vikings parading through the streets, flaming torches lighting the way, and a real sense of celebration in the air. You'll see the junior Jarl Squad in action before the main event, when the Guizers lead the procession to the grand finale – the dramatic burning of a full-size Viking longship. It’s a truly special experience, and your guide will be on hand to make sure you don’t miss a moment. (Overnight: Lerwick)

Journey from Shetland to Edinburgh

After a final morning on Shetland, we board the overnight ferry back to Aberdeen. From here, we travel through Royal Deeside, passing Crathie Kirk, where the Royal Family worships when staying at Balmoral. We’ll also visit the resting place of John Brown, Queen Victoria’s ghillie, before stopping for lunch in Braemar. Our journey back to Edinburgh takes us through the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, arriving in the early evening. (Overnight: Ferry)

Day Highlights

Dunnottar Castle

St Andrews

Ferry Ride to Shetland

Shetland Harbour

Lerwick

Jarlshof

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

Up Helly Aa

Eshaness

Cairngorms National Park