The Viking Raiders and Traders events at Dumfries Museum on the 16 May are proving popular with Vikings from near and far. As well as local Viking re-enactors, Viking Njal u Niall is travelling from Manchester, the Jarl of the Volsung Vikings from Jorvik in Yorkshire, warriors from Herlid in Cumbria and the Glasgow Vikings are all coming to Dumfries Museum to take part in the Festival of Museums events.
Troqueer primary school are also gearing up for a busy trading day when they will be selling the goods they have made at school as part of an entrepreneur project. Working with local Viking re-enactor Simon Lidwell and their class teacher Jennifer Ness the children have been making clay pots, braided cord bracelets, Thor’s hammer necklaces and Tafl game boards and pieces. They will be joining the re-enactors to create the atmosphere of a Viking trading camp in the museum grounds during the day on Saturday 16 May.
Sharon McKee and Derek McLennan from Beyond the Beep are also gearing up for the big day, preparing their gold pieces for the metal detector token hunt in the museum grounds.
Catherine Braid of The Green Tearoom in Thornhill will be setting up her food stall to sell refreshments during the day to keep the Vikings and visitors alike fuelled up.
Plans are also taking shape for the Viking Tavern when visitors (over 18s only) can time travel to the past and enjoy an evening in the longhouse! A Viking taster supper will be served including meats, cheeses and sweet treats and vegetarian options. Visitors can enjoy beautiful clarsach music played by Wendy Stewart, sit down with the Vikings and learn their gaming pastimes, hear epic stories of the gods, try on Viking battle regalia for an epic selfie opportunity, impress the runic letters of their name into a clay tablet, learn to make braids, and perhaps enjoy an ale or two. Tickets for the evening cost £10 and include soft drinks. There will be the option to purchase other beverages such as mead, ales, cider and country wines sourced from craft makers in the UK.
Chairman of the Council’s Community and Customer Services Committee, Councillor Tom McAughtrie commented;
“It is much appreciated that so many history enthusiasts give their time for free to create this great event for Dumfries Museum and the local area. We are hoping for a grand turnout to welcome the (friendly) Vikings and support the children from Troqueer Primary school who have been showing great initiative in their preparations for the event.”
Fiona Wilson, Museums Officer said;
“We are delighted to be working again with our local Viking re-enactors and others who travel so far to take part in our Festival of Museums events at Dumfries Museum. Last year we had the first Viking camp in the museum grounds and this year our events have grown with more re-enactors taking part, more hands on things to do during the day and even a Viking Tavern for the evening.”
Local Viking re-enactor and coordinator Simon Lidwell said;
“People last year said everything was great but they wanted more. So this year we have a treasure hoard, double the vikings and a tavern. Next year…longships? “
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