This year’s Largs Viking Festival - the 35th Norse spectacular - will be a treat for the taste buds when it runs from Saturday 29 August to Sunday 6 September.

To celebrate Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, a Scottish government initiative led by VisitScotland, the festival organisers are excited to introduce a food and drink festival, profiling local produce and cooking demonstrations throughout the week.

And under the umbrella of the Viking Fest (hopefully no brollies will be required!), there will also be a book festival, Scottish craft fayre and a global market, and of course, the sky will be graced with some wonderful aerobatics to once again celebrate the wonders of flight.

The launch parade starts at Morrison’s supermarket in Irvine Road at 2pm this Saturday, with an opening ceremony on Largs esplanade at 2.30pm, attended by Provost Joan Sturgeon.

The official opening is performed by Pauline Hunter of Hunterston, Chief of Clan Hunter and 30th Laird, and there will be a blessing by Rev. Chris Vermeulen of St Columba’s Parish, and Fairlie.

Lots of cookery demonstrations are planned due to generous support from the Scottish Year of Food and Drink 2015. On 29/30 August, the West College Scotland will be doing chocolate demonstrations from 12 Noon until 4 pm including truffle making, tempering chocolate, moulding chocolate, etc. There will also be a presentation on Ayrshire Food provenance On 5/6 September from noon and every hour thereafter, Braehead Foods will be demonstrating gourmet meals including chicken saltimbocca with sage and proscuito, seabass with warm sweet potato and chorizo salad and feta and courgette fritters with tzatziki. Free admission with voluntary donation. Enjoy!

And are you ready for some Viking Voulez-Vous?

The vibrant sounds of ‘ABBA Gold’ means that the magical music of Agnetha, Anni-Frid, Benny and Bjorn are returning to these shores after many years at the Vikingar! on Friday 4 September. Well worth taking a chance on!

And of course, the Party at the Pencil on Saturday 5 September includes the battle re-enactment, burning of the boat, and fireworks, kicking off at 7.30pm.

Annique Armstrong, VisitScotland Regional Director, said: “The Largs Viking Festival is always a highlight of the local events calendar and this year’s event promises to be a delicious mix of culture and cuisine as we celebrate Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink.

“2015 is a chance to shine a light on our outstanding produce and authentic dining experiences. This event is a great way to whet the appetite of visitors and encourage them to discover more about the mouthwatering culinary delights we have right here on our doorstep.” Linda Young, festival secretary, said: “We are pleased to support Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink by promoting local produce and putting on cooking demonstrations through the week. We also have a goal to educate children about the culture and history of Largs and in the village children have the opportunity to learn in an authentic Viking environment that brings history to life.” Linda added: “The board are extremely grateful to North Ayrshire Council for funding and for erecting the village, and to Kelburn Wind Farm Community Fund, VisitScotland, Awards for All and SSE who have given their financial support towards the costs of running the festival.” The Viking village will open every day - come and see how the Vikings lived in an authentic 13th century village - talk to them about their way of life; learn about how they made their clothes, weapons, jewellery and food. Ask the Vikings about their religion, beliefs, homes, crafts, ships, their homeland and why they left it. This year the re-enactment group Swords of Dalriada will be in the Viking Village with Viking traders from Germany, Sweden and Ireland.

Tickets can be bought on site and are £5 for adults and £2 for children under 16 and concessions (over 60’s and students). Under 5s go free. Tickets give admission to the village throughout the day of purchase.

School groups are encouraged to visit the village and bookings can be made now through Vikingar! Tel: 01475 689777.

A Scottish food and craft fayre will also open every day from 10am to 6pm. Come and enjoy a shopping experience with a difference.

Owl Magic will swoop in every day and on both weekends. There will be on stage entertainment, street performers on the promenade, and of course, a fun fair will also be present on the prome throughout the festival.