Largs Viking Festival 2013

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. This year marks the 750th anniversary of that battle.

There will be two villages this year which can be found on the Promenade. The Viking Village with King Haakon will be populated by Glasgow Vikings and the Scots Village with King Alexander 111 by the Swords of Dalriada. These re-enactment groups live the Viking or Scots life in the villages throughout the Festival where visitors will be enthralled and entertained learning about how they lived, their clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. Visits by school groups are most welcome. The entry fee of £5 for adults and £2 for children/concessions with under 5s free will cover entry to both villages throughout the day of purchase so is great value for money.

There are events and fringe events for all the family throughout the week starting with the opening day parade, opening ceremony and various Viking activities. There will be two aerobatic displays, one on 31 August and the other on 8 September, the latter being a flypast display be a Supermarine Spitfire and a Hawker Hunter. Continental, Italian 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.

The week culminates in the ever popular Party at the Pencil organised by North Ayrshire Council at the Battle of Largs Monument. The Vikings will re-enact the 1263 battle and burn a long ship. This will be followed by a fireworks display, a truly spectacular end to the Festival.

The Festival Board look forward to seeing you in Largs and, once you see what is on offer for all the family in such a beautiful location, trust you will make an annual return.

Alex Gallagher,
Chair of Directors, Largs Viking Festival Board

Other Board Directors:  Linda Young, Secretary; Ray Young, Treasurer; John Dobbie; Reverend Gordon Fyfe; Thomas McMillan and William Ferguson.