Shetland Vikings descend on Glasgow!

Watch the video now on here

Vibrant Glasgow got a taste of Scotland’s Norse history this week as a squad of Shetland Vikings descended on the city for an exciting and rambunctious visit.  The ancient Scottish islanders were in Scotland’s largest city for some pampering and relaxation (epic beard trim anyone?!) ahead of the Follow the Vikings events this September.

In a short video, released today, the Shetland heroes can be seen enjoying a leisurely bike tour by the river Clyde, a visit to the spectacular Riverside Museum, some hipster styling at House Martin Barbers, and a few well-earned cocktails and food at the beautiful Spanish Butcher restaurant. The video highlights Scotland’s rich and varied history, as well showcasing the country’s modern, progressive and lively culture.

To celebrate Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, the Vikings also met the locals to talk about Shetland’s Follow the Vikings festival, taking place this September.  Held over two weekends, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Scotland’s rich Viking legacy on Unst, Britain’s most northerly island and one of the Vikings first landing places in the North Atlantic, and in Lerwick, Shetland’s capital.

The Unst Viking Festival, 2-3 September, will feature the local Viking squad joined by visiting Vikings - Ardglass from Northern Ireland (featured in the TV series Vikings) and Walhalla from Poland. Visitors can expect re-enactments of Viking combat and a re-creation of Viking life around the replica longhouse and longship at Haroldswick, Unst.  Local re-enactors and crafts people will add to the atmosphere of a busy Viking community.  A Viking Feast will be held on the Saturday evening featuring Viking food and entertainment!

The Viking Activity Day will take place at Shetland Museum and Archives (SMAA), Lerwick on 9 September.  It will consist of talks, workshops and re-enactments for all the family. The SMAA will go totally “Viking” for the day, with particular emphasis on the Norse elements of the SMAA collections.   A Viking themed meal will be held in Hay’s Dock Café Restaurant in the evening; illustrating the best of contemporary cuisine with a Nordic twist, presided over by the Lerwick Up-Helly-Aa Guizer Jarl in his role as King Sweyn Forkbeard.

Loganair operates up to 24 services each weekday between Sumburgh and Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Begen. Lead-in fares commence at £92.03 and every ticket includes 20kg of complimentary baggage allowance. To make a reservation for travel before August 31 visit www.flybe.com and to depart after September 1 book via www.loganair.co.uk

Watch the film and share it now:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uuspe3ErhE

Join the conversation using #ScotSpirit #HHA2017

ENDS

Notes to editors

More information about the Follow the Vikings events on VisitScotland’s website: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/events/follow-the-vikings-p1430571

And also on the Follow the Vikings website: https://followthevikings.com   

To find more information about Glasgow’s events: http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/

Images created by New Wave Images, in collaboration with VisitScotland - www.nwimages.co.uk

About Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017

2017 is the year to delve into the past and discover Scotland’s fascinating stories through a wide-ranging variety of new and existing activity to drive the nation’s tourism and events sector, boosting tourism across Scotland.

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology begins on 1 January 2017 and will end on 31 December 2017.  It will build on the momentum generated by previous themed years in Scotland including the 2015 Year of Food and Drink, Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural.

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland, and supported by a variety of partners including Creative Scotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Built Environment Forum Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland and Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland.

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology is supported by £570,000 of Scottish Government funding.

The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology events fund is managed by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate. 

For more information visit visitscotland.com/HHA2017 or join the conversation at #HHA2017Well,

About VisitScotland

VisitScotland launched its global Spirit of Scotland campaign in 2016.   To find out more, go to www.visitscotland.com.  Join the conversation by using #ScotSpirit

Spirit of Scotland PR activity is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme.

VisitScotland’s Community site was set up for the Scottish public to help, engage and enthuse potential visitors about the country.  To get involved go to: www.visitscotland.com/community  

For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com  

For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/

To ensure everyone can safely enjoy Scotland’s amazing countryside and landscapes, VisitScotland encourages all visitors to fully respect their surroundings by behaving in a responsible and appropriate way.

PLEASE NOTE

This copy was correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information and accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation.  All liability for loss, disappointment, negligence or other damage caused by the reliance on the information contained herewith, or in the event of any company, individual or firm ceasing to trade, is hereby excluded.