These ships, which during the night had taken shelter in the harbour that is now named Millport Bay, were already making for the shores of the mainland below the village of Largs, for it was at this point that the Norse king had determined to land his invading forces.

Largs was not a spot which a modern general would have chosen for an invasion.  It was ill suited for troops forming in strength after landing.  There is a narrow strip of level ground, with bluffs rising right up from it.  Troops marching along this strip, either north or south, would be flanked by the higher ground for many miles.  To attempt to pass through any of the ravines which pierce the range of hills would have been perilous.  Nevertheless Hakon had chosen this landing place.

“Methinks,” said Sir Piers de Currie, as he watched the Norse galleys battling with the waves, “that our work is already half accomplished.  Should the wind rise yet higher no easy task will Hakon find it to land his men on that lee shore.”

“Had I been he,” said Kenric, “it is not thus that I would have lingered among the isles ere I made a descent upon the mainland.  Had Hakon pressed onward with all his forces, instead of despatching a squadron here and a squadron there for useless plundering, had he made straight for Scotland while yet the fair weather continued, and while yet King Alexander was unaware of his approach, he might even have made a successful conquest.

“But look eastward yonder across the hills at the fair troop of Scots advancing in battle array.  Look down upon the plain of Largs, where a good two thousand men are waiting ready.  Soon will King Alexander himself be here with his cavalry from Lanark.  By my faith, the Norseman will have a warmer welcome than he looks for!”

“Let us then hasten downward,” said Sir Piers, “that we may have a taste of the battle before the elements have entirely robbed us of our foe.”

Troop after troop of Scots marched onward toward Largs.  From Ayr they came, from Renfrew, Dumbarton, Stirling, Turnberry, and many another stronghold that had been warned of the enemy’s nearness by means of beacon fires on the highest hilltops.

But of the forces that were making ready to meet them the Norsemen knew little.  They were at present too much engaged in attending to the safety of their ships, and not any of them could make a landing that day.  The wind rose higher, the tempest increased in fury, and at nightfall there came a deluging storm of hail and rain which continued until late next morning.

For this the Scots cared little.  Curling themselves up with their plaids about them they slept soundly upon the heather, undisturbed by the howling of the wind and the raging of the waves upon the rocky shore.  But with the invaders it was far from being such an easy matter.  Their anchors dragged.  Many vessels had to have their masts cut away.  King Hakon’s own gallant ship, although secured by seven anchors, was driven from her moorings, and five galleys were cast ashore.