This is a detailed account of the Battle of Largs.....
please use the small scroll arrows to the right to read on

Despite several campaigns by the Scots the Norse had retained control of the Isles and Argyll. There they maintained their rule under the Kings of Norway.

However, in response to the continued pressure from the Scots, King Håkon Håkonsson of Norway mounted a pre-emptive attack to secure Norse control of the territory. In July 1263 King Håkon Håkonsson is said to have sailed from Bergen with 200 ships. In the Hebrides he was joined by the King of Man with additional forces. From there they sailed down the coast of Scotland, raiding the mainland.

Initial negotiations were opened but this time was used by the Scots to buy time to raise their forces. Then, in a storm, some of the Norse ships were beached at Largs and an armed engagement began. This forced the King to land his main force in disadvantageous circumstances on a difficult coast.

At the battle re-enactment on the final Saturday of the Festival, 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. The 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 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.

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.