Since 1980, Largs Viking Festival has marked the 1263 Battle of Largs, the last mainland battle between the Scots and the Norse.
Every year the living history Viking Village opens to the public offering a glimpse of what life would have been like in a 13th Century Viking Village.
Come and talk to the Vikings 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 and the Viking who stands outside the Main Street chip shop.
The giant metal statue of Magnus the Viking was installed on the Prom in 2013, the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs (1263).
There are also more serious commemorations such as the Vikingar!, an interactive exhibit with storytellers telling Viking tales and myths and the yearly Håkon Håkonsson Lecture (which was inaugurated by the late Magnus Magnusson in 1980).
Organisation
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.
The board is always looking for ways to improve the festival. Please leave your feedback here.
Patron
Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston has taken over as the festival patron following the death of Prof. Magnus Fladmark of Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen.
Fladmark became the patron of the Festival following the death of Magnus Magnusson KBE. The Festival Directors were sad to hear of his recent death as he was a great supporter of the Festival and will be greatly missed.
Sponsorship
Each year the festival contributes to the local economy as well as helping to develop the town's 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.
None of this would be possible without the help of our sponsors and supporters.
Would you like to become one of our sponsors?
We have a range of support packages that suit all sponsor grades and budgets. Click here for more details.
Alternatively, click here to visit our Patreon page.
