Dunstaffnage Castle will be overrun by Viking warriors this weekend as visitors are invited to step back into one of the most dramatic periods of Scottish history.
The Viking Invasion event takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May and will see fearless Viking warriors descend on the historic castle grounds for a weekend of battles, demonstrations and living history.
Visitors will have the chance to come face to face with the Vikings, learn about their weapons and invasion tactics and watch live battle displays as warriors clash in combat.
The event will also allow people to explore the Viking encampment and discover what daily life was really like for the warriors and their families when they first arrived in Scotland.
Perched overlooking the Firth of Lorn, Dunstaffnage Castle remains one of Scotland’s oldest surviving stone castles and has stood at the centre of centuries of conflict and power struggles.
The fortress once guarded the strategically important seaward route from the Firth of Lorn to the Pass of Brander and later became linked to one of the most famous moments in Jacobite history.
Following the failed Jacobite Rising of 1745, Flora MacDonald was briefly imprisoned within the castle after helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape.
The weekend event is being organised by Historic Environment Scotland and is expected to attract families and history enthusiasts from across the region.
Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at HES, said:
“Vikings are a fascinating part of Scotland’s rich history, and we are excited to welcome visitors (and Vikings!) to our exciting Viking Invasion event at Dunstaffnage Castle this weekend.
“It’s a fantastic day out for the whole family at one of Scotland’s most stunning castles. Come along and find out how these remarkable warriors changed the history of the British Isles forever.”
With live battles, historical displays and one of Scotland’s most dramatic castle settings, the event promises a weekend where history feels a little less distant and a lot more alive.
The event is included in admission to Dunstaffnage Castle. Entry to daytime events is free for Historic Scotland members.
For more information and to plan your visit, head to historicenvironment.scot
