The torchlight procession just after sundown which begins the re-enactment of the Battle of Largs in 1263, at the climax of the annual Viking Festival.
The Firth of Clyde and the Island of Great Cumbrae are in the background.
The Battle of Largs was the last time Vikings fought on British or Irish soil. Details of it are found in the 13th Century Norse poem The Saga of Haakon Hákonarson, which is written from the Norse point of view and has them emerging victorious.
The historical background can be read here.
The Viking Festival in the seaside town of Largs in North Ayrshire was inaugurated in 1980, partly as a reminder of the battle and partly as a way of extending the tourist season in the town by a week. A Viking Village is set up on the promenade where historical re-enactors engage with visitors, telling them about the way of life of the Vikings in the 13th Century. A range of activities, from the opening parade to the closing re-enactment of the Battle (Festival of Fire), with interpretative commentary is held over the week. At the end of the battle re-enactment, the Viking Boat is set alight and followed by a Fireworks Display.
The Festival of Fire is held at The Pencil, a 70′ tall whinstone monument commemorating the battle, which was erected in 1912. The pencil is in the background of this photo (left).
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