But don’t worry, Inveraray was not captured and its residents were not butchered by an army of Viking warriors, this was just the dramatic start of the annual Loch Fyne Viking Festival. This festival is held to commemorate the Viking heritage of this part of Scotland and as a re-enactment of Magnus Barefoot's, King of Norway, successfully landing in Argyll at the end of the 11th century.
After the initial invasion there was many different activities and performances for the public to enjoy. Unfortunately, I was working so I couldn’t watch the whole spectacle but I could hear the musical performances and the commentary of the events from the office and the occasional roars which were often quickly accompanied by the screams of children.
I did managed to sneak out of the office for a wee while. I watched a re-enactment of a battle by the ‘Glasgow Vikings’ which was highly entertaining, this was played out on the Front Green in Inveraray. The misty hills and Loch really did make a spectacular and very appropriate backdrop.
Later on in the afternoon there was an archery demonstration by the ‘Causeway Archers’ from Northern Ireland.
This was great as afterwards the spectators were given the opportunity to participate and my inner child was desperate for a go. Aiming was a lot more difficult than it looked and with lots of people watching I felt a bit intimidated therefor my first attempt was a bit, well, unimpressive to say the least! But I eventually did hit the target!! And left feeling quite content.
The Festival continued in the hours that followed until eventually the Vikings cleared up and retreated back to their longboats where they sailed back into the mist and down Loch Fyne ready to ‘capture’ the villages of Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Tarbert and Portavadie in the following days.