Galloway Longfhada
After establishing themselves as the Third Longship of Glasgow Vikings for a few years, Galloway Longfhada set sail as their own group in 2016 - in an actual clinker boat.
Nestling in the shadow of the Criffel where the Nith becomes fordable across the caul, the group has a Hiberno Norse identity. It is also currently researching the elusive history of the British Kingdom of Strathclyde.
They meet on a Wednesday in Heathhall community centre in Dumfries, to train in combat, craft, and chat.
In 2023 the group became a Herred and Bjorn "Iron belly", (Stephen Ross), the group leader became their first Jarl.
they have a facebook page GallowayLongfhada on Facebook where you can see photos of their recent exploits.
When recently asked, the skillful artist who created the current design and who has been a member since the days of the 3rd Longship told this story of the origin of the shield design. A tale is whispered amongst the old...Few remember how it all began...
Some say it started in the middle of winter, snow and ice covering the old settlement in Northland... In hushed voices the harshness of the rule of Harald Fairhair is blamed for the voyage of a small crew, setting sail south in a longship. The last to leave, against a background of flames as all behind them burned down to the frost covered ground.
Following the whale road the brave few journeyed, steely glints in their eyes betraying a determination to find a better land, a land the greybeards talked about when they were barely old, or strong enough, to lift a sword. Nehalennia, Njord, Aegir...it seemed for once all the gods were on their side, even the God of the Ceile-de of the Papa isles, for sure enough, after a storm set the tired and hungry crew off their original course, they finally saw it...
Hills covered in a lush green, a carpet of seaweed on the shore, and it matched the colour of the salt stain bronze weather vane of their ships prow.
Soon They learned from the local inhabitants, (who after some initial reservations, welcomed the companions from the longship) that the land the fates had woven them into was called Galloway. The locals started referring to the new arrivals as those from the longship or in Gaelic, the Longfhada.
To confirm their newly founded community the Longfhada held a Thing, and many great decisions were made... It was also decided to adopt a new emblem, instead of the Fairhair sign.. As they talked, a Red Kite flew close over the people, showing of it's stunning shape and some amazing acrobatics in the air.
The Longfhada thought it would make a great design for their community, painted in the colour that welcomed them to Galloway, but they also wanted to remember their history, so they chose the cold, winter white as the background for the green kite. A colour defying the temperament of the cold, hard, white land they had once called home.
Some have also said that it was chosen because that was the colour of paint that was closest to hand in their training hall, and it could be made from rusty copper at a pinch.
Data
Formed: 2018
Herred:2023
Dissolved:
Area: Dumfriesshires
Group Leaders:
- Simon Lidwell (2018-2020)
- Stephen Ross (2020-
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