A DAZZLING RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a historic encampment will remain part of this year's much-reduced Viking Festival spectacle, organisers have confirmed.

The Norse celebration will take place on August 28 to September 5 - but it will be very different to the last festival in 2019.

Despite the Scottish Government relaxing restrictions further this week, event bosses say the festival will still have to be curtailed due to the risks posed by Covid-19.

They are also fearful of any changes to rules and guidelines on the applicable dates, that could thrown plans into chaos at short notice.

In order to make the event as safe for the public and participants, the festival will be held within a single perimeter, with market stalls, some displays and a Viking encampment.

Chair Alex Gallagher said: “It is disappointing and frustrating, but the board has agreed that the Largs Viking Festival will have to be a restricted offering this year.

"However, we are glad that we can put something on, however limited, for those from Largs and further afield who support us, and for the benefit of local tourism and businesses. The event will be controlled to meet Covid restrictions, with limited numbers and a one-way system.

"There will be separate entry and exit gates and a full range of cleansing and disinfectant stations. The board was determined that their would be a Viking element to the festival - and there is.

"In the Viking encampment, the public will be able to see Vikings enact a living history of a 13th century settlement.

"There will be appropriately distanced opportunities to talk to the Vikings and have them explain the Viking way of life, skills and history."

There will be food, drink and craft traders indoors and more outdoors at weekends.

On September 5 there will be display by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, consisting of an 18 minute spectacular featuring a Spitfire, Hurricane and a Dakota. There will also be a sea-plane display, with at least one aircraft landing. 

Mr Gallagher added: “We are working very hard with partners on creating a digital festival too. This will not take the place of a 'real' physical festival but we hope it can offer at least a flavour of the event to our supporters live, on the web and for those who cannot make it this year."