The Battle of Largs in 1263 was the last mainland confrontation between the Scots and the Vikings, with Scottish king Alexander III crashing to defeat at the hands of Haakon. The Largs Viking festival kicks off with a parade, complete with pipers and a re-enacted skirmish; the final weekend includes a torchlit procession, a full-on battle re-creation, longship burning and fireworks. There’s a food and craft fayre, street performers and a Viking living history village (adults £5, children £2).

Started in 1980 this Annual Festival marks the 1263 Battle of Largs, the last mainland battle between the Scots and Norse.

Each year the living history Viking Village is open to the public so that they can get a glimpse of what life would have been like in a 13th Century Viking Village.

Come and talk to them about their way of life; learn about how they made their clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. Ask the Vikings about their religion, beliefs, homes, crafts, ships, their homeland and why they left it…

There are numerous references to Vikings in the town of Largs including street names, the amusement arcade. The giant metal statue of Magnus the Viking was put in place on the Prom in 2013, the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs (1263). 

There is also more serious commemoration, such as the Vikingar, which is an interactive exhibit with storytellers telling Viking tales and myths and the yearly Håkon Håkonsson Lecture.

The Festival is organised by a Board of Directors comprising ten local volunteers who are dedicated to preserving the Viking link with Largs. They meet on a monthly basis to plan the event and discuss how best to meet the goals detailed in their Business Plan.

Each year the festival contributes to the local economy as well as helping to develop the towns cultural and tourism links. It provides an insight into the history of the Battle of Largs  while also presenting events that have wide public and community appeal. These events cover history, education, entertainment and benevolence. 

According to largsvikingfestival.org