Viking Festival kick starts historical year for Scotland
Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 set to inspire visitors with jam-packed programme!
Article Source: Visit Scotland
Last Updated: 2 February 2017 10:21
Over 800 Vikings, a huge dragon ship set ablaze by flying torches and a crowd of five thousand spectators – for 24 hours, on the last Tuesday of January, the town of Lerwick on the Scottish archipelago of Shetland goes more than a little wild. The annual Up Helly Aa festival is a unique celebration of Shetland’s Viking past that you have to see to believe. And it is only the first of many exciting ways to relive the past in Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
With over one third of visitors drawn to Scotland for its history and culture, VisitScotland has hailed the 2017 themed year as an exciting opportunity to experience Scotland’s fascinating heritage through a range of events and activities.
A Great Roman Bake-Off, large scale projections of Viking imagery, a live archaeological dig of St Kilda in Minecraft and a festival to celebrate the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, are just a few of the events lined up to make history in 2017. On World Herritage Day 2017, Scotland will celebrate its six iconic World Heritage Sites with six unique events from dawn to dusk (Scotland in Six). And in September, the Vikings will conquer Shetland once again for the Follow the Vikings Roadshow & Festival.The Nordic warriors will excite audiences with fire breathing, fierce re-enactments and beach raids. Visitors can step aboard the actual long ships used in the popular Vikings TV series, see inside the newly reconstructed long house and even dine at a Viking banquet.
The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology Signature Event Programme:
Spectra: 9-12 February 2017 Aberdeen
Edinburgh Georgian Shadows: 23 February – 26 March 2017 Edinburgh
Scotland in Six: 18 April 2017 (World Heritage Day) Scotland-wide
Tradfest Edinburgh: 26 April – 7 May 2017 Edinburgh
Paisley’s International Festival of Weaving: 1 & 2 July 2017 Paisley
Purvai: August 2017 Stornoway
Follow the Vikings Roadshow & Festival: 2 & 3, 8 & 9 September 2017 Shetland
Horsepower: 9 September 2017 Falkirk
Mary Queen of Scots Festival: September 2017 Kinross and Loch Leven
Shining Lives: Autumn 2017 New Lanark World Heritage Site
The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 began on 1 January 2017 and will end on 31 December 2017. For more information, please visit www.visitscotland.com/hha2017
Sponsored Links
Latest Renfrewshire News
ACCORD Hospice Art Exhibition Returns to The Art Department in Paisley
ACCORD Hospice is pleased to announce the return of its annual art exhibition to The Art Department in Paisley between the 26th of April and 10th May.
READ MORE
Top tips for visiting the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
Now in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MORE
Hundreds of Renfrewshire kids enjoy school holiday camps
During the Easter holidays, hundreds of kids across Renfrewshire have enjoyed free school holiday activity camps.
READ MORE
New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle
Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MORE
Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MORE
POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores
This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MORE
Runners get on their marks as the Paisley 10k and Fun Run launches
The Paisley 10k and Fun Run will see thousands taking to the streets when the event returns to the town on Sunday 18th August, 2024.
READ MORE
Call for volunteers to help restore riverbanks
Environmentally conscious individuals are being asked to volunteer for a new community taskforce to help protect Renfrewshire's rich riverbank habitats.
READ MORE
Have some fun this Spring in Paisley town centre!
Paisley's Spring Farmyard Trail is coming to Paisley town centre from Friday the 29th of March until Monday 15th of April.
READ MORE
Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MORE
Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes
Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORE
Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours
Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MORE
Playsport in East Kilbride is set to welcome a new state of the art racing simulator centre GP Racing Simulators
GP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MORE
Renfrewshire Provost rewards inspirational community members
Renfrewshire has honoured local groups and volunteers for their work in the community at the Provost's Community Awards.
READ MORE
Free activities this Easter at Dobbies
Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MORE
Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations
The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MORE
Learning and Cultural Hub wins national award
Paisley's Learning and Cultural Hub has won a national award. The new home for Paisley Central Library won the physical category at the EDGE Awards.
READ MORE
Hop along to Cardwell Garden Centre for some Easter Weekend fun
The Easter weekend is going to be eggs-tra special at Cardwell Garden Centre this year.
READ MORE
Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!
This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MORE
Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue
A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MORE
Paisley Museum and Kairos Women+ win big at the Smiley Charity Film Awards
Groups connected with the refurbishment of Paisley Museum are celebrating today after picking up an honour at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in London.
READ MORE
A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival
Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MORE
Saturday Winter Connections event in Paisley bringing people together
Dozens of people gathered together for a song and a chat at a Saturday Get-Together event in the Methodist Central Hall, Paisley.
READ MORE
National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me
Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MORE
Paisley Museum succeeds in major global competition to win prestigious international award
The refurbishment of Paisley Museum has won a prestigious international award, recognising the significant role the project is playing in the town and wider region’s cultural regeneration.
READ MORE
Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative
Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MORE
Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MORE
Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MORE
Record breaking parasport festival held in Linwood
More than one hundred children attended the West of Scotland's Parasport Festival, which took place at On-X Linwood on Monday 4th March.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Go Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"
