Jenna Moar News Today

This year was the first-ever time women were allowed to take part in the historic Viking Up Helly La procession in Lerwick, Shetland. The annual torchlight festival started in the 1880s.

For the first time in the Up Helly Aa history, women and girls were allowed to join the Jarl Squad and lead the procession.

BBC newsman Lewis Vaughan (pictured) was live on BBC Breakfast this morning reporting on the historic Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Lerwick, Shetland at around 9.20am today.

This year’s procession marks the first where women have been able to participate in the procession.

The jarl squad comprises elected members who lead the torchlit procession through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland, which, up until 2022, consisted only of men.

An annual fire festival in Scotland is set to have women and girls involved in leading its torchlit procession for the first time.

ONE of the first female jarl squad members in Lerwick’s Up Helly Aa says the day has been “really good” so far. Jenna Moar is one of four lasses taking part in the 2024 jarl squad today (Tuesday), alongside three cousins, in what is a historic moment for the Lerwick event....

Watch as hundreds of people carry flaming torches through Shetland to celebrate the Up Helly Aa festival on Tuesday, 30 January.

An annual fire festival in Shetland is to have women involved in its “jarl squad” for the first time.

Jenna Moar and three cousins will be first female full members of Viking-dressed squad that will lead annual fire festival