Scotland has a rich, thousand-year history with the Vikings which shaped the nation we know today.
The Norsemen first crossed the sea from Norway in the eighth century, and quickly settled throughout the Northern isles (Norðreyjar), Hebrides (Suðreyjar), the islands of the Firth of Clyde, as well as on the northern mainland at Caithness.
Though relatively little is known about their reign, archaeologists have made significant discoveries across Scotland which help build a picture of how they lived and who they were.
Join us now as we journey back to the age of the Vikings. From the islands to the highlands, here are 13 locations you can visit with strong connections to our axe-wielding ancestors.
A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this article. If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
Moving over to the Western Isles, Colonsay is a small island south of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. It was in the sand dunes of Kiloran Bay that a significant Viking grave was discovered. A man had been buried in a boat there with a horse and a number of Scandinavian weapons and tools. Historians think his horse may have been killed to travel with him in the afterlife. Two other Viking burials with animals have also been found on this island. Photo: Wiki Commons
South of Skye, Eigg was settled by Vikings along with many of its neighbouring Hebrides isles in the ninth century. It was also used as a base to trade with Ireland. A Norse sword hilt is one of the significant archaeological finds here, near Kildonnan. Many placenames on the island are Viking and a number of discoveries here have given crucial insight into how the Norsemen lived. Photo: Museum of Scotland / Getty Images
The Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides was taken over by the Vikings between the 8th and 9th centuries. Bostadh (note the Norse name) in the north of the island is thought to have been a busy harbour and trading post. In 1831, a hoard of distinctive 12th century chess pieces were discovered at Camas Uig bay. Made out of walrus ivory and whale teeth and thought to have been brought over from Norway, the artefacts are considered one of the greatest archaeological finds in Britain's history. Photo: Getty Images/ Wiki Commons
Port an Eilean Mhòir is a Viking boat burial at Ardnamurchan (pictured), the most Westerly point of mainland Scotland and the UK. Archaeologists discovered there a Viking boat, and inside a man was laid to rest with his shield placed over his chest, as was the custom. He also had a (deliberately) bent sword, spear, axe, and other trinkets buried with him. It's been described as "one of the most important Norse graves ever excavated in Britain". Photo: Getty Images