Shetland's capital is Lerwick (pop. 8,000), on the east coast of the Mainland. In the 8th and 9th cen. the Vikings arrived in the Shetland Islands and for the next 600 years they ruled Shetland. Although the Vikings had a reputation as fierce warriors, they stayed here and became productive settlers and farmers. In 1468 the King of Denmark pawned the Shetlands for 8,000 florins to James III of Scotland in lieu of a royal dowry. The Norsemen left their mark on the islands and some legends and customs are kept alive through festivals on the islands. One of these, the Fire Festival of "Up-Helly- Aa" is held in Lerwick on the last Tuesday in January. It celebrates the end of Yule. Hundred's of colourfully dressed "guisers" follow the Jarl's squad of Vikings and their longship through the darkened streets of the town to the burning site. Here the ceremony ends in a spectacular blaze as flaming torches are thrown into the longship. There follows a night of revelry. L ... < more >