Sandown Class mine hunter HMS Bangor will visit Largs from Friday to Sunday and will be open to members of the public.

The 450 tonne battleship is calling at the pier as part of the year's celebrations of the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs.

It coincides with the first ever Gathering of the Clans.

Largs Events chairman Grahame Ross whose committee is behind the move reckoned it would be the first time since the Second World War that a Royal Navy warship will be alongside at Largs Pier. Other navy vessels have come to Largs over the years.

Open to visitors on both Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am-4.30pm, the ship's crew is looking forward to welcoming members of the public on board to have a look around and to chat about the ship and the role of today's Royal Navy in protecting the nation's interests at home and further afield.

Speaking about the Clan Gathering including an old Scots encampment based at Broomfields, Mr Ross added: "It is going to be a great event - the first clan gathering since the Battle of Largs at Broomfields.

"It is a brilliant venue. We had the two managers of the Clan Gathering coming down - and they said many years ago they had a battle at Broomfields so there is a precedent for it. This is purely a Scots encampment - no Vikings or the English - just the Scots, so we are not detracting from the Viking Festival. We are hoping it will be such a big success and will be repeated for many years to come. "

A tented encampment will be created on the reputed site of the Battle of Largs at Broomfields and will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am-5pm with performances at noon and 3pm.

Listen to interview below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ANrRYYLYes&sns=em