GLASGOW city centre was lit up in a spectacular torch-lit procession last night to officially open this year’s Celtic Connections music festival.

Shetland Vikings marched from Albion Street in the Merchant City to the top of Buchanan Street before holding a short display at the bottom of the Royal Concert Hall steps.

Glasgow Times: Shetland Vikings at the Glasgow Royal Concert hall steps to officially open the Celtic Connections music festival. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Shetland Vikings at the Glasgow Royal Concert hall steps to officially open the Celtic Connections music festival. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

The torch-lit march was held as part of the opening weekend of the 29th edition of the festival with Glaswegians being treated to two specially commissioned Shetland 550 shows.

Organisers said the shows look to celebrate Shetland’s “unique” cultural history and identity, 550 years on from the islands becoming part of Scotland.

Glasgow Times: Shetland Vikings marching through Glasgow city centre. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Shetland Vikings marching through Glasgow city centre. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

This year Celtic Connections will showcase 60 in-person concerts, a number of “intimate” filming sessions, and an exciting digital offering with over 500 artists involved.

Glasgow Times: [Photographs by Colin Mearns] [Photographs by Colin Mearns]

The festival will run until Sunday, February 6.

Glasgow Times: Shetland Vikings on Albion Street prior to marching through the city to the Royal Concert Hall to officially open the Celtic Connections music festival. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Shetland Vikings on Albion Street prior to marching through the city to the Royal Concert Hall to officially open the Celtic Connections music festival. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

Celtic Connections began in 1994 and is delivered with funding from Glasgow City Council through Glasgow Life.

Glasgow Times: Shetland Vikings lighting their torches on Albion Street. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Shetland Vikings lighting their torches on Albion Street. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

Glasgow Times: Shetland Vikings marching through Glasgow city centre. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]Shetland Vikings marching through Glasgow city centre. [Photograph by Colin Mearns]

To view Celtic Connections' full programme click HERE.