Every mid-winter in the Shetland Islands, the residents celebrate their Nordic heritage (the islands changed hands between the Scots and Vikings for centuries early in the fist half of the last millennium) with a fire festival, commonly called “Up Helly Aa” by the locals. It’s celebrated in just about every Shetland town, including Scalloway, where my wife’s mother was born and her uncle now lives. The festival — which was first held after the Napoleonic wars — celebrates the end of the “yule season,” and has evolved to include a procession of torch-bearers wearing festive garb. Some wear Viking outfits. Some just wear special T-shirts. And some even dress like a Vegas-era Elvis). A good time is had by all — and good times are valuable in such a harsh climate in winter. At the end of the procession, a painstakingly built replica viking galley in the harbor is set ablaze in a spectacular display. It’s the kind of festival would have a hard time getting off the ground in the United States. You’re going to what? Carry oil-dripping torches? Around children? You’re going to set fire to a wooden ship? In the water? But what about the fish? Do

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