What are the origins of Scalloway Fire Festival?
The fire festival tradition begins at the turn of the last century, when the event was held on Christmas Day. A ‘grand procession and bonfire’ were held, sometimes involving the burning of a galley – once, a model croft house – before the event moved to the days in between Christmas and New Year.
These early traditions continued throughout the 20th century, until 1979 when the festival officially became known as the Scalloway Fire Festival. In 1984 the date was moved to the second Friday in January, where it has remained.
