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King Erik Street in Lerwick, Shetland
Many streets in central Lerwick are named after Scandinavian Kings, Queens and Saints, particularly from the medieval period. This sign probably refers to the thirteenth century Norwegian king Eiríkr Magnússon, who married princess Margaret of…
St Magnus Street in Lerwick, Shetland
This sign refers to the early twelfth century Earl of Orkney, Magnus Erlendsson, who was martyred in 1115 according to Orkneyinga saga. Many streets in central Lerwick are named after Scandinavian Kings, Queens and Saints, particularly from the…
King Haakon Street in Lerwick, Shetland
This street sign probably refers to Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Many streets in central Lerwick are named after Scandinavian Kings, Queens and Saints, particularly from the medieval period.
King Harald Street in Lerwick, Shetland
This street sign probably refers to Haraldr Hárfagri (Harald Fairhair), ruler of Norway from c. 872 to 930, who recaptured Shetland and Orkney from his rivals in c. 875. Many streets in central Lerwick are named after Scandinavian Kings, Queens and…
St Sunniva Street in Lerwick, Scotland
This street sign in Lerwick refers to the tenth-century Norwegian Saint Sunniva (ON Sunnifa), who is associated with Selja on the West Coast of Norway, and according to legend fled from Ireland and was persecuted by the pagan Jarl Hákon…
Magnetic Viking Warrior for Children
Souvenir magnetic Viking warrior for children, seen in Shetland Museum and Archives. The outfit is relatively accurate, with no horned helmet in sight!
If you have any information about the producer of this item, please let us know!
If you have any information about the producer of this item, please let us know!
Memorial to Arthur Laurenson with Quote from Hávamál in Runes
Memorial in Lerwick Town Hall to Alfred Laurenson, a local dignitary, patron and scholar of Scandinavian literature, who died in 1890.
The memorial includes representations of Viking ships, a raven, and a rather confused runic inscription which…
The memorial includes representations of Viking ships, a raven, and a rather confused runic inscription which…
Up Helly Aa Galley Shed and Exhibition
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a parade of 1000 guizers led by a Jarl, and culminates in the burning of a galley (an elaborate replica of a Viking ship). The Up Helly A…
Replica Galley from the Up Helly Aa Exhibition
Brightly painted replica galley with a dragon head on display in the Up Helly A' Exhibition in Lerwick, Shetland.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a parade of 1000…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a parade of 1000…
Jarls' Costumes from the 2015 and 2016 Up Helly Aa Festival
Costumes created for the Jarl (leader of the squad of Vikings in the procession that burns the galley). Each year the costume is different, usually drawing on a popular image of the Vikings.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day…
Jarl's suit, including helmet and shield, worn in the Up Helly A Festival
A Jarl is chosen every year to lead the Up Helly Aa Vikings, who lead the parade and burn the galley during the festivities. The elaborate costume includes a helmet with raven feathers, and a shield with a raven emblem.
The Up Helly A' is a…
The Up Helly A' is a…
Replica Shields from the Up Helly Aa Festival
Different shields designed for the Guizer Jarl in the Lerwick Up Helly Aa festival. They draw heavily on Norse artwork and imagery.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day after Christmas in Shetland. The celebrations involve a…
Shields and Artwork from the Up Helly Aa Proclamation
Each proclamation displayed publicly before the Up Helly Aa festival includes a painting, usually relating to the Viking heritage of Shetland. These are housed in the Up Helly Aa Exhibition.
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day…
The Up Helly A' is a festival celebrated on the 24th day…
Photo of Midgarth Crescent Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Midgarth is a common Norse placename, and Anglicisation of Miðgarðr, meaning in this case 'Middle Enclosure / Farm' . Miðgarðr is also the 'Middle Realm', and home of mankind, in Norse Mythology.
Photo of Copeland Pier Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Copeland is a common placename and surname deriving from Old Norse kaupa land, meaning 'bought land'. This example is from Lerwick in Shetland.
Photo of Twageos Road Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Twageos is a place name incorporating the common Norse place name element 'gjá', meaning 'ravine' and rendered in Shetland as 'geo' or 'gjo'. Twageos may refer to the 'two ravines'.
Photo of Tait's Closs Sign in Lerwick, Shetland
Tait is a common Scottish surname derived from the Old Norse 'teitr', meaning cheerful. Many surnames and place names in Shetland have a Norse origin.
Peerie Viking Bib from Shetland
Peerie (Little) Viking Bib from a tourist shop in the Shetlands. The tourist industry draws heavily on the Viking heritage of the islands.
Muckle Viking T-Shirt from Shetland
Muckle (large) Viking T-Shirt from Shetland. The tourist industry draws heavily on the Viking heritage of the islands.
The Zetland Window in Lerwick Town Hall
The Zetland Window depicts Haraldr Hárfagri (Harald Fairhair), first King of Norway, who conquered Shetland in around 870, and Rognvald Eysteinsson, who was offered the first Earldom of Shetland but declined in favour of his brother Sigurd. For more…