The Largs Viking Festival is set to reach a stunning climax this weekend with the spectacular Festival of Fire.
The final day of the festival, on Saturday, September 7, includes a re-enactment of the Battle of Largs in 1263, a torchlit parade and the burning of a replica Viking longboat, followed by a fantastic fireworks display.
The fireworks show has been an ever-present feature of the festival since it started in town 44 years ago, and is eagerly anticipated as one of the major highlights of the nine day extravaganza.
The Festival of Fire takes place at the Vikingar! putting green at 7.30pm on Saturday, with the gates opening at 7pm.
Visitors with tickets can get access to the battle re-enactment, torchlit procession, closer access to the burning of the Longboat, and fireworks display.
Get your tickets for the Festival of Fire, and the Viking Village, at ticketsource.co.uk/largs-viking-festival/
Festival chairman Douglas Blair told the News that Saturday's opening parade was a fantastic day for the town and is hopeful that this weekend will again hit the heights.
He said: "The weather made it for us, and I have to say Saturday was great from start to finish.
"The parade was brilliant; it was marvellous seeing all the community groups and emergency services involved, and the public thronged the streets.
"I don't think I have seen the pavements that deep with people before, right along the Main Street and along the seafront, and the prom was absolutely heaving.
"Advance ticket sales for the Festival of Fire have been very good and tickets are available at the festival site and online.
"The weather is looking reasonably good and there is an added bonus for those from Millport as we will have a late ferry operating from Largs to Cumbrae.
"I want to give a special shout out to the guys at the council depot for erecting the Viking Festival site, as the ground conditions have been very tricky with the amount of rain we have had. They have done a terrific job.
"The festival of fire is a great occasion. The market stays open all day on Saturday tlll 10pm and we hope the whole area will be buzzing."
The festival's organisers have secured the use of Largs Campus in Alexander Avenue for car parking for the weekend, a walk of 15-20 minutes to the festival site.
They say that parking spaces on street cannot be guaranteed, and have warned that traffic enforcement officers will be working in the area throughout to ensure that restrictions on town centre streets are complied with.
The additional ferry sailing to Cumbrae on Saturday night will leave Largs at 9.30pm. Space for cars on this crossing will be limited and can be booked in advance by calling Caledonian MacBrayne's Largs office on 01475 674134.
Festival organisers have also warned that drones are not allowed over the festival site.
The itinerary for the rest of the festival is as follows:
Thursday, September 5
• 9am - 6pm: Scottish food and craft market open.
• 10am - 5pm (last entry 4.30): Viking Village.
• 7pm Vikingar! Haakon Haakonsson lecture (Professor Stephen Driscoll on the Govan Stones). Tickets can be bought online or by donation at the door. Refreshments are served beforehand.
Friday, September 6
• 9am - 6pm Scottish food and craft market open.
• 10am- 5pm (last entry 4.30). Viking Village.
Saturday, September 7
• 9am - 10pm Scottish food and craft market (free entry)
10am - 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) Viking village.
Entertainment (free)
• 12pm Millar Cross and
• 1.30pm Jeff Jeffrey
• 3pm Rheumatoid Rockers
• 4.30pm Filthy White Suit
• 6pm Barre Chords
• 7.30pm Amanda Green
Festival of Fire - Saturday September 7
• 7.30pm Battle reenactment, Vikingar putting green (gates open at 7pm). Wristband holders only.
• 8pm (approx) Torchlit procession. Wristband holders only.
• 8.50pm (approx) Burning of the longboat at Aubrey boating pond. Wristband holders only for closer view)
• 9pm Fireworks display into Largs Bay viewed from promenade. 
Sunday September 8
• 9am - 6pm: Scottish food and craft market (free entry)
• 10am-5pm: Viking Village open (closes at 5pm, last entry 4.30pm)
Entertainment (free)
• 12pm Rock Choir
• 1.30pm Clyde Coast Fiddlers
• 3pm Reely Jiggered
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