Fish & Ships
by Helen Westwood
King
Haakon
of
Norway
headed
for
the
Hebrides
to
pick
up
more
men
and
ships
then
sailed
his
fleet
of
200
vessels
down
the
Coast
of
Scotland,
launching
raids
IF YOU FANCY a fun and interesting day out at the Scottish Seaside, Largs is a great place to visit. We spent a day in the town recently strolling along the seafront, inhaling the mesmerising fish and chip aromas while watching the ferry sail in from Cumbrae. There was an air of excitement as kids queued for the fairground attractions and dogs chased the seagulls on the beach. People were enjoying the sea views while munching their chips or slowly licking their ice creams melting in the sunshine.
Largs has a fascinating Viking history and you can’t miss the giant Magnus Viking Statue standing proudly on the green. The statue was gifted to the people of Largs in 2013 by North Ayrshire Council to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs. Magnus VI of Norway was the son of King Haakon IV of Norway…. let me indulge you in a fascinating story about the Vikings in Largs.
The Western Isles had for centuries been in dispute between the Scots and Norse. Alexander III of Scotland had been launching raids to recover land, including the Isle of Skye in 1262. In 1263, in retaliation, King Haakon of Norway headed for the Hebrides to pick up more men and ships then sailed his fleet of 200 vessels down the Coast of Scotland, launching raids. He sent part of his fleet to Bute and Loch Lomond to pillage, sailing his main fleet towards Largs. However, while his ships were moored off the Cumbraes, a fierce storm hit and washed some of them ashore at Largs. His sailors tried to salvage their ships and cargo but the Scots attacked, led by 23 year old Alexander III of Scotland.