The Battle of Largs

In the early 13th century, much of western Scotland and the Hebrides was under the control of the Kingdom of Norway. Evidence of this long chapter of Viking history is still evident in modern day place names. But in 1263, the King of Scots Alexander III decided it was time to claim this part of Scotland back.

King Haakon of Norway was happy with things just the way they were. It might be a long way from his throne, but he wasn’t willing to let this territory go without a fight. Haakon sailed around the north of Scotland and into the Firth of Clyde with an enormous fleet in a clear demonstration of strength. There the Norwegian King waited to deal with the King of Scots, just off the coast of Ayrshire.

Alexander could clearly see he didn’t have enough men to defeat the battle-hardened Norsemen. When it came to negotiations, he was in no position to be making any demands. The King of Scots delayed the talks again and again, giving time for his army to slowly coming together further inland. He knew that it was late in the year and so storm clouds were gathering along with the Scots.

King Haakon had finally had enough, and it looked as if the Norwegians were going to be released to cause havoc on the Scottish mainland. Then Alexander got what he had been praying for, a fierce autumn storm whipped across the water. Norwegian ships were torn from their anchors, smashed to pieces and washed up on the beach at Largs.

When a small force of the Norwegians landed to try and repair the damaged ships, Alexander sprung his trap. The Scottish army swarmed towards the beach to meet the invaders. The Battle of Largs was fierce, the Norwegians might have been battered by the storm, but they weren’t beaten yet.

Both sides fought each other to a standstill, neither able to gain the upper hand. When the battle died down and the armies withdrew, Haakon was forced to retreat with his remaining ships all the way back to Orkney.

The King of Norway died there that winter, along with his hopes of holding on to western Scotland. His successor would officially sign any claim he had over to King Alexander. The Battle of Largs might not have seemed like an overwhelming victory, but it had changed the course of Scottish history.