Viking Invasion

Although the weather was not very good this afternoon, we decided to go down to the Viking Festival at Largs.

Just as we got into Largs two viking boats were coming into the bay. I loved the expression of the children, as the viking boat landed on the beach.

This year is the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs. It was the most important military engagement of the Scottish-Norwegian War. The Norwegian forces were led by King Haakon Haakonsson and the Scottish forces by King Alexander III.

The battle 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.

Tonight the festival culminates with a re-enactment of the Battle of Largs, the burning of a Viking Longship and a firework display.

I have incorporated other images from the Viking Festival on my Blipfolio.