The Larg's Pencil is a monument to an important battle which took place between Norway and Scotland several centuries ago. Trolling my Nokia 5800 cell-phone archives again, and with some improvements from my software, I present three pics shot in the coastal town of Largs

V1 is a close-up of The Pencil.
V2 is a view looking southfrom Largs town towards The Penciland the Marina.

"Late in the summer of 1263 King Haakon IV of Norway sailed into the Firth of Clyde in his great ship with its gilded dragon's head. He ruled over all the Scottish islands and had come, with a huge fleet, to add Bute and the Cumbraes to his kingdom. The Norwegian ships anchored in the sheltered channel between the Great Cumbrae and Largs. As winter drew near there were fierce storms. Several ships were blown ashore and on 2nd October a Norwegian force was landed to cover attempts to refloat them. The Scots resisted and eventually forced the Norwegians back to their ships. Haakon's fleet, damaged by the storms, sailed home to the Orkneys.

The Battle of Largs was the last Norse raid on the mainland of Scotland. Their victory allowed the Scots to regain control of the western islands. Enmity between Scotland and Norway was ended by a royal marriage as a result of which Haakon's great-grand-daughter succeeded to the Scottish Crown in 1286. The child is known in Scottish history as the Maid of Norway and her untimely death caused the disputed succession which led to the War of Scottish Independence.".

For some additional info - https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/the-battle-of-largs.html 😎

Tags: Coastal Historical Scenic Largs Landscape and travel Scottish west coast Firth of clyde Saturday shadows The Pencil Battle of Largs

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