For many years, one of the Festival Committees’ key ambitions has been to acquire a traditional Longship.
These remarkable vessels are not only intended for display at the Festival and at events such as regattas, but also for active use on the water. In time, we hope to see sails raised on the Firth and on inland lochs, bringing history to life. To make this possible, we are keen to hear from volunteers interested in training to sail and crew the Longships.
The Longship is an iconic symbol of maritime history. As the primary means of travel for the Norse, it also holds special significance in local history, notably during the Battle of Largs, when Scottish forces defeated the Norse on the beach at Largs.
We are delighted to announce that, in the near future, the Festival will have three Longships available—well, perhaps two and a half! Our much loved mini Longship is already a familiar and popular sight, taking pride of place in the opening parade and in the Festival Village, delighting children and adults alike.
This April, the Festival proudly acquired the Black Eagle Longship from the Island of Arran. It will soon be making its way to North Ayrshire, and progress updates will be shared on Facebook.
Interested in sailing or rowing?
Finally, under the careful guidance of the Boatbuilding Section of the Scottish Maritime Museum, a traditional wooden vessel is currently under construction. Designed for sailing and for use by community groups and clubs, this ship is being built to a design that is truly a work of art.
