What's on in the area

Largs Viking Festival

Aug - Sep 2009 (annual)

Cost: Various

Hours: Various

Commemorating the last Viking invasion of Britain - the 1263 Battle of Largs on the west coast of Scotland - the Largs Viking Festival encompasses an opening parade, an authentic Viking village and, to end, the Party at the Pencil, complete with a re-enactment of the battle and a fantastic firework display.

In the spirit of general festivities, it's not only the Vikings that are celebrated. Throughout the week there are gospel concerts, a duck race hosted by Largs Round Table, helicopter joyrides, falconry displays, Highland pipers and dancing, a skateboard and skating competition and even a dog show.

The Viking element also includes a traditional skirmish and funeral, while additional events include the Kaboum Samba Band, a history of rock 'n' roll from V8 and the Pointiacs, a display by the national cheerleaders, the Rockettes, and - keeping up the Scandinavian connection - a performance by ABBA tribute band Voulez Vous.

The Party at the Pencil is aptly named as the high round tower of Largs Pencil was built in 1912 to commemorate the Battle of Largs some 850 years earlier, where King Haco of Norway, his 160 Viking long ships already battered by storms, was defeated by the Scots.

Please visit the festival website for the full programme.

Largs

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