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By 1262, the kingdom of Norway was at the height of its power as it acquired Greenland and Iceland.

But Alexander III of Scotland was determined to back up his father's claims to the west coast islands.

He ordered raids deep into Norse territory. It was a brutal show of force.

The 59-year-old Norwegian king - an old man by the standards of the day - took personal command of the fleet.

In Orkney, a Viking stronghold, his already powerful fleet was joined by local forces.

Haakon led his fleet through the Hebrides, island by island, demanding allegiance.

By the time he reached the disputed territories of the Clyde, he had 120 ships and up to 20,000 men at his command.

Alexander, based down the coast in Ayr, knew he could not defeat Haakon at sea but if he could stall long enough then the autumn weather might do what his forces could not.

Haakon sent envoys to demand Alexander withdraw his claims but the Scottish king spun out the negotiations.

On 1 October 1263 the weather broke with a sudden storm. Haakon's fleet was scattered, with several ships driven ashore under the noses of local militia.

The next morning Haakon managed to get onshore with 1,000 men to salvage the ships and their cargo. That was when the Scots pounced.

Haakon's bodyguard got the king back to the safety of the fleet but on the shore the Norsemen were collapsing in disarray. Finally a long ship managed to get ashore to reinforce the beleaguered rearguard and the Norsemen made a stand.

The Battle of Largs petered out into a long distance and sporadic shooting match. Neither side had won. There was no decisive victory, just the usual grim reckoning in warfare.