Shetland history will be made on Friday when the first female Guizer Jarl leads hundreds of bearded warriors in the latest Up Helly Aa festival in the islands.

Lesley Simpson will oversee a burning longboat as it is cast out to sea at one of the most picturesque spots on Shetland, St. Ninian's Isle which is joined to the south mainland by natural sand causeway with sea on either side.

It will be a far cry from the world famous Up Helly Aa, which takes place in the Shetland capital of Lerwick, on the last Tuesday in January every year, and has done so back to Victorian times.

What is less well known is that there are around a dozen smaller versions of the event around Shetland.

The most recently established is South Mainland Up Helly Aa (SMUHA) which goes round five different districts between Sumburgh and Lerwick, who take turns to host it.

It started in 2010 in Bigton and Levenwick. Since then Gulberwick and Quarff; Cunningsburgh and Fladdabister; Sandwick and Hoswick; and Dunrossness have all had their year.

Now it is back to Bigton and Levenwick where Lesley Simpson is waiting axe in hand - but no beard.

The 49 year old primary head, doesn't see her appearance with horned helmet as smashing through any glass ceiling of the male dominated Nordic tradition.

"I maybe the first female Guizer Jarl, but it is not really a big deal in my opinion. It is simply me taking my turn as a member of the local community. But it is very exciting for all that.

"When the constitution for SMUHA was first drawn up in 2010, it made provision for women to be in the Jarl Squad and a woman could be Guizer Jarl. Because our Up Helly Aa goes round five districts the Guizer Jarl is named in advance, so it has been known for five years that my turn was coming in 2015."

She said various people had encouraged her to consider being a Guizer Jarl. She had to think about it and discussed it with her family especially with her husband, Robbie and their children and in the end, decided why not?

She said she had thoroughly enjoyed the first SMUHA and what clinched her decision was the reaction of the pupils at the 135 pupil Dunrossness Primary School where she is head teacher.

"It obviously meant so much to the bairns," she said.

Her pupils will take part in their own event, with their own Jarl Squad and their own eight foot galley, which will be consigned to the same fiery end as those at the adult events.

"Our squad of 42 will be visiting other schools in the area during the day, but we will come back to Dunrossness for 2pm for the junior procession. The pupils will be all be dressed up as well carrying the axes, shields and torches they've been making in class."

The senior event will see the large longboat pulled through the lanes of Bigton and down to St Ninian's Isle where it will be set afloat and alight.

"I have been anxiously looking at the forecast for weeks now," Mrs Simpson said. "The last think we want is a north westerly gale, which would make it too dangerous in which case it will burn on the beach."

On Sunday her Jarl Squad will get their beards shaved off for two local charities. "But I will just be getting my hair cut short, and no I won't be wearing a false beard," she said.