Largs Viking Festival

Largs is a popular little seaside town on Scotland's south west coast. It sits between the busy Ayrshire seaside towns of the Firth of Clyde to the south and Gourock to the north -- it is by far the most popular resort on the Clyde.
But its biggest claim to fame is the fact that it hosted the last battle between the Scots and the Vikings in 1263. The memorial to commemorate this battle was erected here at Bowen Crag in 1912 by public subscription and is popularly known as the pencil.
The Largs Viking Festival, which started in the 1980s, is now an annual event -- and people gather from near and far to join in on all the events.
There is also a centre in the town called Vikingar, where you can learn all about the Vikings -- it also houses an indoor swimming pool and a childrens play area.
The festival hosts many events and parades, the creation of the Viking village, the continental food market and the ultimate finale at the Pencil including a mock battle, the burning of a longship and a fireworks display.
On the scale of things the battle of Largs was no more than a minor skirmish -- the vikings were beaten not so much by the Scottish forces but more by the forces of nature.
The battle itself was inconclusive but from the outcome it would appear that the Scots won the war - we will never know what would have happened had Hakon not died that winter.
The Viking Festival is a wonderful event and gives an insight to the Viking way of life in the 12th century. Largs is well worth a visit at any time, but the additional events and festivities laid on for the Viking festival make it unmissable.

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[LadyGreyCarolyn]

Molto interessante , davvero un bellissimo evento!

[racampbell6]

@LadyGreyCarolyn I vostri commenti sono i benvenuti, vi ringrazio

[jonagilly]

As usual another brilliant video. I have visited Largs when the festival was on. Could have done with your commentary. Take care and keep them coming.

[ghough12]

Another great production

[raydvd]

Excellent video, you really bring the history to life.