Posts Tagged ‘South Mainland Up Helly Aa’

Posted on March 14, 2011 - by benmullay

SMUHA 2011 – Brydon’s Big Day

Congratulations to Guizer Jarl Brydon Robertson aka Harald Maddadsson and his squad for leading a memorable South Mainland Up Helly Aa 2011.  After the success of last year it was going to be hard to reach similar heights, but Brydon and his squad carried it off with aplomb.  The squad’s singing was fantastic from start to finish and there was a great atmosphere throughout despite a mixed bag of weather.

The outfits were striking with the helmets being a particular highlight for me.  The pupils at the various schools visited during the day enjoyed trying on the helmet and holding the axe/shield.

My first photograph was taken just after 7am (Friday) and I packed up the camera at 4.30am (Saturday)!

Here is a selection of pictures to give you a flavour of the day.  I’ll be posting a comprehensive selection of images on my gallery very soon as well as squad photos I managed to capture.

Thanks to Brydon for letting me be part of his big day and to everyone else involved for making South Mainland Up Helly Aa 2011 a pleasure to photograph.

-Ben

(click on images for larger view)

Posted on March 13, 2011 - by benmullay

Guizer Jarl Brydon Robertson & Family at Garth’s Ness

Pictured below is Guizer Jarl Brydon Robertson aka Harald Maddadsson and family at Garth’s Ness where the official squad photographs were taken two weeks ago.

The location was perfect for the photographs with the spectacular landscape giving us a dramatic backdrop.  Garth’s Ness was where the Braer oil tanker ran aground on January 5th, 1993 after losing engine power.

-Ben

Posted on March 13, 2011 - by benmullay

SMUHA 2011 – Jarl Squad Photographs

click on images for larger views

Posted on February 8, 2011 - by benmullay

SMUHA Race Night Fundraiser

I am delighted to announce that Ben Mullay Photography is sponsoring one of the races at next Saturday’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa (SMUHA) Race Night.  The event is a fund raiser for the second SMUHA which takes place on the 11th March with Brydon Robertson as this year’s Guizer Jarl.

Dale Smith from the SMUHA committee explains what the race night will entail:

SMUHA RACE NIGHT

Every voluntary organisation needs funds to operate and SMUHA are no different. The Festival, which involves the entire South Mainland of Shetland, will be holding their second Up Helly Aa on March 11th.

A fund-raising Supper/Race NIght is planned for Bigton Hall on February 12th.

Race Nights are surprisingly popular in Shetland given that the nearest race course is hundreds of miles away in Perth.

Knowledge of horses and racing is absolutely NOT required at these events. Races are shown on a large screen and tickets for the horses are purchased before the race DVD is even chosen. There’s no form, draw, going, trainers or jockeys to worry about, you simply buy a ticket or tickets for the number between 1 and 8 you hope will win. If you win you will be paid out depending on how many tickets you hold.

It’s a fun-filled night as the “punters” usually get more animated as the night wears on, roaring home their favourites.

There are nine races in total. The first seven have have owners which have been sold before the event.

The horse owners in the eighth race are chosen from the losing tickets. If you’re unlucky in any of the first seven races you write your name on the back of your losing ticket(s) and put them in the “loser’s” bucket. Eight owners will be drawn for the 8th race and the winner receives £20.00.

The ninth, and final race is an auction race. Individuals, or more commonly tables of punters bid against each other to become horse owners. There’s usually enough money raised at auction to pay out to the first three horses home.

This race is definitely the highlight of the night as a good result can see you leaving the event with a profit.

Entry is pay at the door, £3.00, from 7:30pm with racing starting at 8:00pm.

Dale Smith

So, if you fancy a bit of fun on Saturday 12th February, head to the Bigton Hall.

-Ben

Posted on March 31, 2010 - by benmullay

SMUHA Update and Blog News

SMUHA

I’m pleased to announce that all images have now been uploaded to the South Mainland Up Helly Aa (SMUHA) gallery pages.  These can be viewed here.  As you’ll see, the photos are avaiable in a large range of products by clicking on the ‘purchase options’ tab.

WEBSITE TWEAK

www.benmullay.com has also had a slight tweak so that the blog appears first allowing access to the gallery pages featuring Shetland photography from around the isles.

SHETLAND HAMEFARIN 2010

I see the official website of Shetland Hamefarin 2010 is now taking shape with new content being added reguarly.  A summary of the event is quoted below from the Shetland Hamefarin homepage:

In June this year, Shetland will host a ‘Hamefarin’ (homecoming), welcoming Shetlanders from all around the world back to their home islands. The ceremonial return of those of Shetland extraction offers an opportunity for Hamefarers to reforge lost connections, enjoy the culture and heritage of Shetland and to enjoy a very special holiday.  Hamefarers are expected from as far afield as Austrialisia and North America and for many, the visit to the land of their forebears will be for the first time.

Shetland Hamefarin 2010 is the third such event to be staged, following Hamefarins in 1960 and 1985. The 2010 event is expected to see the largest number of visitors yet, with around 500 Hamefarers estimated to be making the journey to Shetland.

I think it promises to be a massive event.

Posted on March 27, 2010 - by benmullay

SMUHA (Part 4) – Procession

Posted on March 27, 2010 - by benmullay

SMUHA (Part 3) – Jarl Squad at Sumburgh Hotel

Pictured above (click on image for larger view) is the Jarl Squad with Jarlshof in the background.  The photo was taken prior to their feast at the Sumburgh Hotel.

Posted on March 18, 2010 - by benmullay

SMUHA (Part 2) – Daytime

Pictured above are a few of my favourites during the day from the first ever South Mainland Up Helly Aa.

I followed the Jarl Squad from 7am where they enjoyed breakfast at the Bigton Hall.  The other locations were ASN Dept, Anderson High School, Sound School, Cunningsburgh School, Sandwick  Junior High School, Bigton Stores, Sumburgh Hotel, Dunrossness School, Overtonlea Care Centre and Levenwick Hall.

I had a great time and the time simply flew by.  There was a real sense of camaraderie between the squad and they were warmly greeted at each venue.  Best singing performance has to go to the pupils at Dunrossness Primary School who belted our a rousing rendition of the Up Helly Aa song.

A comprehensive range of images can be viewed and purchased over at http://www.benmullay.com/gallery/SMUHA/.

Stay tuned for the final part of my SMUHA collection featuring photographs from the procession.  For those that missed it, the first part of my SMUHA blog posts can be found here.

-Ben

Posted on March 14, 2010 - by benmullay

SMUHA (Part 1) – Jarl Squad Photos, Maywick Beach

Links

http://www.benmullay.com/gallery/SMUHA/ – purchase SMUHA photos in a range of products

http://www.southmainlanduphellyaa.com/new/ – South Mainland Up Helly Aa official website

http://www.shetlink.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8974&start=50 – Shetlink forum on the event