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Vikingar!! an easy and historical trip around Largs. Binoculars are required, 7X at least, if your eyesight is not bionic! The total time for this cache, walking is about 50mins, or driving and walking 25 mins. Total distance by foot 2.5 kilometres. It is all on level ground following established footpaths. Enjoy your day, there are some Vikingar goodies in the cache.
VIKINGAR! In the 13th Century, King Haakon IV of Norway, being an old and wily Viking was getting a bit annoyed about how his subordinates were running and integrating with the natives on his outposts in “Sudoer” (Southern Isles) off the West and Northern Coasts of Scotland.
They were no longer as influencial as they should be. So much so that Alexander III, the “peaceable” King of Scotland, who believed in an independent and united Scottish nation, using diplomacy, had offered to buy these lands back from Haakon.
This was declined and to cement his stamp of authority in the region, Haakon decided to launch a large task force of ships to re-establish, the presence of the Vikings over these areas.
After some pillaging and fighting as they travelled through the Outer and Inner Hebrides. Haakon decided to ‘reclaim’ the Islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae amongst others on his journey South. This he did by sailing most his fleet of “Draakers” (longship dragon boats) around the Mull of Kintyre and into the Clyde estuary, with some 50 ships including himself, going overland, by way of logs at the narrow gap on the isthmus at Tarbert Loch Fyne towards Loch Lomond and Bute.
Alexander, knowing of Haakon’s whereabouts as the main force sailed past him at Ayr, reinforced his castles in the West with more men. Haakon and his fleet eventually assembling in the narrow and usually sheltered channel between the village of Largs and the East coast of Great Cumbrae Island on the 28th of September, 1263 for more subjugation of the local populous.
This part of the Island coastline is generally sheltered, but as those who know the area, equinoctial gales can be prevalent, and this was a case in point, when on the 1st of October, 1263 the winds changed suddenly, in strength and direction, blowing over the Island and across the short channel, onto the Largs shore.
The following day Haakons fleet was in turmoil.
Whether it was due to the sudden onset of a gale driving some longboats ashore on the coast of Largs, and subsequent rescue attempt, or a premeditated attack by the Vikings, the answer is still unclear, but whatever, the loss and damage to his forces made Haakon and his remaining fleet head back to Norway with the estimated loss of some 1500 men. Alexander’s army was estimated to have sustained 500 casualties in the conflict.
It is debatable as to the event being an actual battle or skirmish, however it resulted in last of the raids on the Scottish mainland by the Vikings so recorded.
King Haakon IV never made it back to Norway and died in the Orkney Isles that winter. His epitaph should record a great explorer of that time, particularly in relation to Icelandic journeys and supporting travels beyond, as far as North America!
Alexander III’s wife died untimely, together with three of his children. In his forties he remarried the daughter of a French Countess and whilst enroute from Edinburgh Castle to visit his new bride at the Royal Palace in Dunfermline, ignoring the advice of the ferryman, set sail across a raging Firth of Forth. After struggling across the estuary and getting onto horseback near Kinghorn to see his new Queen, his horse stumbled on the seashore, tragically killing King Alexander.
Scotland was once again thrown into turmoil! Ironically, many years later King Haakon’s great granddaughter married an heir of Alexander, to become known as the Maid of Norway in Scotland.
1. In the vein of pillaging the first Coordinate (A) takes you to where you have to find the number of teeth pointing down on the Draaken ‘Dragon’ Longboats Head. (Or the number of letters in the third word of the second line in the first paragraph of the description beside the boat) This gives the answer. (number = v) Insert value into Co-ords (B) below and continue to this location.
2. Walking or Driving to Coordinate (B) on arrival over the Gogo Water you will see a number of longships out to the West. How many do you see? Look carefully for one at the tip of the North end of the Cumbrae. (total number = w)
3. Insert the number (w) into the equation for the next Coordinates (C) below, and go along to where all the action happened at this waypoint, note the number of ‘spokes’ radiating from the base of this object (number = x).
4. From this location, with the aid of binoculars (>7X magnification) look across the sea to Haco’s Mound (apppx.280°M), on Great Cumbrae Island. It is a small mound at the end of red sandstone walled pier just visible. Legend has it that King Haakon, sat on this mound, watching in despair, as his fleet was blown onto the shore at Largs, the army of King Alexander massacaring his forces. It is said, the local people, including women and children, joined in the attack of the Vikings as they struggled in the stormy surf on the beach.
You will see a white cottage, Downcraig Ferry House, (NS183580) immediately behind this location. Note the number of whole windows (z), built into the roof space and the number of chimney-breasts (y) of the property, these should be inserted or added together using the simple formula, including (x) and combine to give the final co-ordinate (D).
This is your the final location…. pillage and plunder as you feel free, you’ve earned it, but don’t let this make you go berserk!…. from the Norse word ‘Berserker’. (A Viking warrior that was usually first off a Draaken, as part of a landing party, shouting and waving their swords, having worked themselves into a fighting frenzy.)
A. 55°48.042N 004°52.141W
B. 55°47. (v)07N 004°52. (v-4)90W
C. 55°46. (w+2)46N 004°51. (w)72W
D. 55°46. (y + z)(x+1)2N 004°51. (z)0(x-2)W
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
HAQRE N OEVQTR FRIRAGL ZRGREF SEBZ JURER UNNXBAF SYRRG PBHYQ UNIR 'PBCR'Q JVGU GUVF CVRPR BS RDHVCZRAG SBE N FBSG BE FNAQL OBGGBZ.