Chocolate croissants, pastas, prawns, frankfurters… There were flavours of every kind to tantalize the taste buds while taking in the delights of the arts and crafts flown in by traders from all corners of the globe, from as far away as Spain, Ecuador and South Africa.

The Viking Festival is the biggest and most important in Largs’ calendar, and it just keeps getting better, outdoing itself year after year. The continental market of the Viking Festival is one of its highlights, turning the Largs sea front into a massive global fairground for the duration of the festival. The food at the continental market is always to die for, keeping your palate delightfully engaged while you indulge the rest of your senses to the sights and sounds of one of the largest international carnival you will ever hope to see.

Most unfortunately, even with so many traders bringing with them relics of their perennially sun kissed tropical countries, the fairs had to contend with pouring rain that rarely ever let off during the four days of the market. But it takes more than a little rain to dampen such bright spirits; and speaking of spirits, Allan Henderson (Managing Director of Salwarth Brewers in Castle Douglas) got it spot on when he had this to say about the fair: “It always helps when the sun shines but we have done alright.”

Photography by Duncan Holmes