The Vikings are coming to the Stewartry
An encampment will be created in Crossmichael later this month with members of the public given the chance to visit and enjoy craft and cooking demonstrations, weapons maintenance and even a battle.
The Galloway Glens scheme and Glenkens Community and Arts Trust have commissioned the encampment as anticipation builds ahead of the arrival of the Galloway Viking Hoard in Kirkcudbright in October.
The Vikings will come from the Cluaran Historical Interpretation project and the Galloway Longfhada Vikings. And all are experienced re-enactors who can give a great insight into the diversity of Galloway Viking culture.
Galloway Glens education and community engagement officer Helen Keron said: “The Cluaran and Longfhada Vikings give such a great insight into what life was like for our Galloway predecessors, this is going to be a fantastic day out.
“From getting on with their daily lives in the morning, the days take a more dramatic turn as the Vikings fall out, battle for supremacy and the victors bury their dead on Loch Ken.
“It’s going to be a great way to get the Viking enthusiasm flowing as we all look forward to seeing the Galloway Hoard in person in Kirkcudbright over the winter.”
The encampment will be near Crossmichael marina, just across the water from where the hoard was discovered in 2014.
Support from Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund means members of the public will be able to visit for free between 10am and 5pm on September 18 and 19 with the preceeding Thursday and Friday dedicated to school and youth group visits.
Youth arts co-ordinator for the Glenkens Community and Arts Trust Lucy Smith said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Galloway Glens on this project as it gives our young people the opportunity to get up close and personal with a key aspect of their local history.
“The story of the Galloway Hoard is a particularly exciting one and we can’t wait to see everyone get stuck in with what is set to be a fantastic experience for all.”
More information about the visit of the Vikings, including the daily schedule of demonstrations, can be found at https://gallowayglens.org/viking-encampment/. It is all outdoors and no booking is required.
SOURCE: Daily Record
Gillespie, Stuart. “Crossmichael set to play host to special Viking encampment”. Glasgow. 13 sep. 2021. 14 sep. 2021. <https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/crossmichael-set-play-host-special-24937567>.
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