NorthLink Ferries Celebrates Scotland Week with Shetland Vikings 

Wednesday 6th April 2016

NorthLink Ferries is helping take one of Shetland’s best traditions across the pond in celebration of Scotland Week.

The ferry operator provided travel for 24 members of the Viking Jarl Squad as they travelled to Aberdeen before flying out to New York to take part in the Tartan Day Parade which takes place on Saturday 9 April.

Stuart Garrett, Managing Director at NorthLink Ferries, said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to help the Jarl Squad on their journey to New York and export a bit of Shetland to America.

“The members of the Jarl Squad, who become Vikings for the day at Shetland’s famous Up Helly Aa fire festival in January, are one of the island’s most celebrated traditions and one that will most definitely wow our friends over in the USA.”

Established in 1998, Tartan Day recognises the contributions made by Scottish-Americans to the United States and forms a weeklong celebration of Scottish theatre, art music and design.

Guizer Jarl Mark Evans who will lead the Jarl Squad in their march down 6th Avenue in New York, added: “We are all really excited to be heading out to New York and would like to thank NorthLink Ferries for their ongoing support. It’s a great opportunity to be celebrating Tartan Day and Scotland Week in America and we couldn’t be there without the sponsorship of companies such as NorthLink Ferries.”