There will be little time to rest for the Viking squad which led this week’s Up Helly Aa spectacular on Shetland – as the group now begin planning their involvement in “the greatest outdoor show on Earth”.
Dozens of squad members will travel to Canada in July for the famous Calgary Stampede, which showcases the history of the Alberta city.
The group’s participation was arranged by Alisdair Dickinson, a member of Guizer Jarl, Lyall Gair’s squad, who now lives there and saw the extravaganza as the perfect opportunity to promote his homeland.
Mr Dickinson was selected as one of the 58 men who comprised the crew eight years ago, and was determined to take part in Tuesday’s event, regardless of having moved to Calgary in 2012.
He returned to Shetland earlier this week with his family, and was among the 1,004 guizers who illuminated the streets with flaming torches in a homage to the island’s past.
Yesterday, Mr Dickinson revealed the group’s next big adventure would take place almost 4,000 miles away.
He said: “I contacted the organisers of the Calgary Stampede and told them they could have access to the Jarl squad, and they have invited us to take part.
“They call the event the ‘greatest outdoor show on Earth’ and there’s a parade with hundreds of acts.
“This summer, it is being held to celebrate Canada’s 150th year, which will make it even bigger.
“Organisers are wanting to showcase the country’s history, which has a strong Shetland connection.”
Mr Dickinson explained that newly-settled Shetlanders and Orcadians were crucial to the economic growth of the new nation after it was formed in 1867.
He is hopeful the Jarl squad will be able to source a galley for the 30 participating adult members and seven children while they are in Canada.
Long after the smoke had cleared from Tuesday night’s fire festival, the after-party raged on in Lerwick.
Following the ceremony, thousands of revellers packed into 11 community halls to watch performances from the 47 squads who took part in the fiery procession.
Colourfully-costumed squads performed comedic dance routines, which they had spent months preparing, until about 8am.
Residents, visitors and returning Shetlanders brought along their own party supplies and revelled in lively ceilidh dances between the acts.
Next year’s Guizer Jarl, Stuart Jamieson, said he was already immersed in plans for the 2018 event.
Mr Jamieson added: “I’ve been working with a design committee for the last six months, so we have a good idea of what we are going to do.
“I am not nervous just now, but I probably will be next January.”
Mr Jamieson, who runs Harry’s Department Store on Commercial Street, joined the committee in 2004 and will have waited 14 years for his moment in the sun.
The committee member with the longest wait to become Guizer Jarl is 39-year-old Gary Smith. As things stand, Mr Smith will assume the role – aged 54 – in 2032.
He said: “It’s a long time, but I’ve already got ideas on how I want the galley to look.
“You don’t enter into something like this unless you can give it 100% commitment, and I’ve reached a point in my life where I can offer that.”