A long-standing historical event at the Largs Viking Festival, which has been running since the first event in 1980, will not be going ahead this year for the first time.

The Hakon Hakkonson Lecture has provided an academic and historical insight into Vikings in Scotland, and was launched by former BBC TV mastermind presenter and historian Magnus Magnusson, who was the first patron of the Largs Viking Festival.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Magnus Magnusson at Largs Viking Festival, with Brisbane Queen Christina McIntyre, in 1984Magnus Magnusson at Largs Viking Festival, with Brisbane Queen Christina McIntyre, in 1984 (Image: Newsquest)

Perceptions of the Norse as plundering, violent, alien savages who appeared out of the mist in their longships, ravaged the land and left to attack elsewhere were re-appraised at the lectures.

It was explained that the Norse were in fact settlers and traders who left their imprint on our legal system, boat building techniques, appearance, and literature.

The event also included looking back at the origins of local placenames and the Norse influence on our language - both Scots and Gaelic.

The Scandinavian warriors are woven right through the tapestry of Scottish history and culture, and this was put under the spotlight at the annual lecture.

Subject matters over recent years included war, love and poetry, the people behind the runes, and the role of women in early Viking history.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Adrián Maldonado gave a lecture on ‘The Year 1000: Vikings and the Making of Scotland’ in 2019Adrián Maldonado gave a lecture on ‘The Year 1000: Vikings and the Making of Scotland’ in 2019 (Image: Adrián Maldonado)

Viking archaeology studies in Sweden found that a original grave including weapons, horses and even a board game belonged to a woman warrior, and in turn, it has helped re-define their role in history.

Chairman of the Largs Viking Festival, Douglas Blair, said: "This was normally undertaken by Largs Museum.

"This year there is no lecture unfortunately.

"Largs Viking Festival will look into resurrecting it next year."

Magnus Magnusson officially declared the festival open on Wednesday September 3, 1980, having just presented a documentary on the Vikings for the BBC.

He also gave the first Haakon Haakonsson lecture, which was appropriately held in The Nordic Suite of the Royal Hotel.

Recent lectures have taken place at the Vallhalladrome Theatre within the Vikingar.