VIKING FESTIVAL

There's a buzz of exceitement and anticipation around here, as Lerwick gears itself up for its biggest night of the year. On Tuesday evening, the Up-Helly-A' procession takes place, ushering in a night of pillage, murder and rape around the town - just like any other Saturday night really. Seriously, the festivities will be lively and last all night.

Today's the day when most of the forty-odd squads get their official group photographs taken. All the hard work of suit-making will have been done by the squad members and their seamstresses, and the souvenir picture will testify to this and provide a memoir of their 2009 act. Many of the squads use Islesburgh House as the venue for the photography. This imposing building is almost next door to my studio, so I get my first glimpse of some of this year's outfits, normally a closely-guarded secret until the night itself.

I have never been involved in the festivities, and I will be spending tomorrow and the morning of the big day at my stall in the Toll Clock Shopping Centre, hoping that I can interest some of the many visitors to the islands in my prints and postcards. This is the first year that I have tried this, so I have no idea what to expect. Wish me luck!