On behalf of the Largs Viking Festival Committee I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to our Festival website. I hope that the information provided will meet your requirements and persuade you that a trip to Largs will be very worthwhile and enjoyable.
Our Festival takes place every year and draws crowds from near and far to celebrate the Viking heritage in Largs, notably the Battle of Largs of 1263 which was the scene of the last Viking invasion in the UK and led to the Treaty of Perth in 1266 when Norway ceded all claim to the Western Isles.
There are events for all the family throughout the week starting with the opening day parade, opening ceremony and various Viking activities. There will be an aerobatic display on the opening day and entertainment throughout the weekend afternoons with children’s events, including storytelling and workshops. Continental and Farmers’ Markets with a Craft Fayre will provide a different shopping experience throughout the Festival and who can’t fail to be intrigued by the owls of Owl Magic and the reptiles of Kirsty’s Critters.
The Viking Village can be found on the Promenade and is populated by the Swords of Dalriada who live the Viking life in the village throughout the Festival, where visitors will be enthralled and entertained learning about how the Vikings lived, their religion, clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. Visits by school groups are most welcome. The entry fee remains at £3 for adults and £1 for children/concessions with under 5s free.
The week culminates in the ever popular Party at the Pencil organised by North Ayrshire Council including the burning of the longship, 1263 Viking battle re-enactment and fireworks display at the Pencil Monument in Largs. A truly spectacular end to the Festival.
The Programme is being drawn together and appears in draft on this website. Please keep checking as the Programme will change as new events are added. We are also working on the 2013 event marking the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs which we aim to commemorate in grand style.
The Festival Committee look forward to seeing you in Largs and, once you see what is on offer for all the family in such a beautiful location, we trust you will make an annual return.
Alex Gallagher,
Chair, Largs Viking Festival Committee
Other Committee Members: Linda Young, Secretary; Ray Young, Treasurer; Grahame Ross, 2013 Special Projects Co-ordinator; John Dobbie; Reverend Gordon Fyfe; Thomas McMillan and Ewa Mierzajewska.
