Come, join The Vikings for re-enactment of the Battle of Largs, and cheer on the Scots army led by King Alexander III. Then enjoy the boat burning and fireworks..

.Little is known of the detail of the action, so we have used several different sources to give you as accurate a version as we can.
When you join us, the Viking ships have been driven ashore in a storm and a party of Norse warriors land to recover them. The Scots on shore send missiles at the Norse. The Norse send reinforcements and there is a fight, which neither side wins. The Scots retire and the Norse settle down for the night beside their ships.

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Next morning ….

The Scots take the high ground, above the Norse on the shore – then they attack with a hail of missiles and spears. One of the Scots, a battle hardened warrior called Fergus, challenges Anders Nicholson one of the Norse leaders to a personal combat.

'Fergus was no ordinary warrior but a knight of Scotland , with helm of gold set with precious stones clad in his fine mail armour, he was one of the fiercest of the Scottish Army. Fergus rode towards the Norwegians and encountered their bravest. He drove his men into the assault and showed no fear or hid it well, but stout Anders Nicholson was no whelp either and had also smelt the stench of death. The two faced up and it began blades clashed and sparks flew such was the fury or their melee, solid shields of oak were splintered to kindling but the fight continued regardless the men were so closely matched in skill but fate took a hand and Fergus stumbled. Anders saw his opportunity and delivered a ferocious blow to his enemy, so powerful was the blow that it cleft cleanly through his leg, chain mail doing little to stop it. He reeled; he fell. The Norsemen stripped him of his Knightly belt as a trophy.

But still raged the battle, still pressed the Scots on the Norse wall of defence.

Enraged, the Scots attack again and again every blade baying for Nordic blood. Sensing the turn in the battle the Norse fight hard and break free – fleeing back to their ships.’

The question - still remains was it - a victory for the Scots or a draw? What we know for sure is that it was the last skirmish the Scots had with The Norse.

VALHALLA DAY

The explosive finale to the 2008 Viking Festival. Featuring the re-enactment of the 1263 Battle of Largs, burning of the longship, and fireworks display.

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Pencil Monument, Largs
Saturday 6 September
7.30pm – 9.30pm
Admission Free.

Contact: Garry Hamilton

Contact Number: 01294 324488

Email Address: ghamilton@north-ayrshire.gov.uk

Website: www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk