Up Helly Aa lights up the Shetland sky

A Viking longboat has been torched in the culmination of Shetland's annual fire festival.

The Up Helly Aa celebrations came to a head on Tuesday evening after a parade through the snow in Lerwick.

Visitors from across the world gathered for the event, which is held on the last Tuesday in January.

30 January 2019

Man with blue tie, white shirt and black hair

Scotland's chilly forecast for the first days of 2026

A cold start to 2026 and snowy for northern Scotland with a Met Office snow and ice yellow warning in force.

Scotland

Sextortion: 'I don't want any family to go through what we are'

Mother of teenage sextortion victim Murray Dowey encourages parents to have uncomfortable conversations with their children.

Scotland

A bald man in a royal blue T-shirt bearing the words "This T-shirt identifies as a Christmas jumper" stands with his back to the counter in his coffee shop, a customer on the other side of it.

Watch: The 'fed up' Scottish town that voted for Reform UK

Reform won a surprise victory in a council by-election in West Lothian - their first win in Scotland.

Scotland

Man with short brown hair and graphic T-shirt and black jacket and jeans stands on the street and speaks into a mic.

Underdog St Mirren fans reflect on cup final win

Underdog St Mirren fans reflect on their cup final win

Scotland

Jack Doherty standing in Glasgow's Ashton lane holding a black microphone. He has short dark hair, a moustache and is wearing a dark grey collared jacket and a white t-shirt.

Is it fine to flake on your friends?

With Christmas party season now in full swing we asked the people of Glasgow if it is OK to bail on plans.

Scotland

A woman sitting on a bench, wearing sunglasses, a blue jumper. She is surrounded by crocheted poppies

Knitting poppies helps us remember those who go to war

Meet the woman behind this impressive display of knitted and crocheted poppies.

Scotland

A figure holds an exploding firework in their hand, with smoke and other hooded figures crowded around outside a house.

Heavy police presence in Scotland on Bonfire Night

Police Scotland were on patrol last night to prevent Bonfire Night disorder.

Scotland

A composite of multiple images of Nicholas Rossi. The central image shows a portrait of Rossi, a young man in his 30s, with short black hair and black-rimmed glasses. He has a white shirt with a red tie and is wearing a navy waistcoat. In the background are prison mugshot images showing him as a younger man and highlighting his arm tattoos. On the right is another image of Rossi in circular spectacles while wearing an oxygen mask.

Catching the American fugitive who faked his own death

Convicted sex offender Nicholas Rossi assumed a new identity and fled to Scotland to escape justice.

Scotland

Marti Pellow in a light pink v-neck knit jumper with white shirt collar poking out the top. He is wearing dark framed glasses and is smiling.

Marti Pellow didn't know Love Is All Around would be a hit

Marti Pellow spoke to BBC Scotland's The Saturday Show about the success of the hit song Love Is All Around.

Scotland

See the weather for Scotland vs Greece at Hampden

Weather forecast for Scotland vs Greece World Cup qualifier at Hampden.

Scotland

Woman wearing burgandy dress, with blue sky and rainbow in the background.

Weather forecast for the week ahead

Your weather forecast for the week ahead from Kirsteen MacDonald.

Scotland

Weather forecast for Perseid meteor shower

The weather forecast for viewing the Perseid meteor shower in skies over Scotland.

Scotland

Two fishing boats near Fort William as waves smash into their sides amid stormy seas.

Damage and disruption as Storm Floris crashes into UK

An amber warning has been in force for much of Scotland as Storm Floris brings high wind gusts.

Scotland

The interior of a helicopter in flight, with an engineer in the passenger seat and pylons in the background.

Taking to the skies to inspect Scotland's power lines

Several times a year, engineers carry out inspections of Scotland's pylons using a helicopter.

Scotland

BBC Weather presenter Kirsteen Macdonald stands in front of a Belladrum graphic

Belladrum music festival weather forecast

Here's your Belladrum festival weather forecast for the weekend ahead in the Highlands.

Scotland

Composite image of two plane spotters holding a camera and the other holding binoculars

Planespotters gather to catch glimpse of Air Force One

Thousands of people have gathered at Prestwick Airport to watch Donald Trump's arrival onboard Air Force One.

Scotland

A composite image with BBC journalist James Cook outside a large hotel wearing a grey shirt, and President Donald Trump on the right playing golf, wearing a navy jumper and his signature red 'Make America Great Again' cap..

Trump heads to Scotland: What to expect from his visit

The BBC's James Cook explains the significance of US President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland.

Scotland

Woman standing in the street, she has long hair and a pink jumpsuit and a microphone.

Here's why I gave blood for the very first time

Giving blood can be a daunting idea for some, so we looked at exactly what is involved.

Scotland

Irvine Welsh and Katie Razzall in Leith. He is pointing up at a building.

Irvine Welsh on Trainspotting, its sequel and modern-day malaise

The Scottish author speaks to the BBC ahead of the launch of his new book, Men in Love.

Scotland

A girl stapling a missing dog poster to a tree

Watch: Searching for therapy dog lost in Scottish Highlands

Louie the golden retriever has been missing for two weeks, after he "slipped his lead".

Scotland