Inside Scotland’s spectacular festival of fire

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A squad marches around a Viking Longship in celebration of the historic festival of fire, Up Helly Aa, late Tuesday in the Shetland Islands. Every year, the event culminates with the more than 1,000 participants throwing their torches into the ship’s galley. Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The Jarl Squad march around a Viking Longship before torching it on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire… Getty Images

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Participants dressed as Vikings participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 28, 2014. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings… Getty Images

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Participants dressed as Vikings light their burning brands as they take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 28, 2014. Up Helly Aa… Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The torches of the Jarl Squad are lit as they march through the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland…. Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The Jarl Squad march around a Viking Longship before torching it on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire… Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The Jarl Squad march through the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire is known… Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The Jarl Squad march through the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire is known… Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The Jarl Squad march through the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire is known… Getty Images

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Participants dressed as Vikings carry burning brands as they take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 28, 2014. Up Helly Aa celebrates… Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: The Jarl Squad march through the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire is known… Getty Images

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Participants dressed as Vikings light their burning brands as they take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 28, 2014. Up Helly Aa… Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: Locals dressed as Vikings visit the British Legion as they march through the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland…. Getty Images

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LERWICK, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 28: Locals dressed as Vikings pose in the streets of Lerwick on January 28, 2014, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. The traditional festival of fire is… Getty Images

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