Andrew Armstrong’s Scottish roots stretch back to include the time when the Armstrong clan in Scotland traded with Vikings in the ninth century.
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He celebrates those roots by doing Viking reenactments under the name of Ari Firebeard with other Viking fans and making Viking-style leather goods and metal artefacts.
Mr Armstrong, of Laverton, who set up A-frame tents in Camperdown’s main street to add to his Viking theme, was one of the colourful characters that enlivened the Robert Burns Scottish Festival on the weekend.
In keeping with his Viking character of Ari Firebeard, a skin and fur trader, Mr Armstrong brought along his two pet ferrets, Peanut and Zero.
He said that as a skin and fur trader, Ari Firebeard would have had ferrets to chase rabbits and other vermin.
The festival brought hundreds of people to Camperdown for a feast of entertainment which celebrated and explored Scottish culture.
Apart from readings of Robert Burns’ poetry, there were feisty band performances and concerts, hearty dinners, whisky tasting, a book launch, a historical exhibition, a golf day, and of course bag piping.
Among those enjoying their Scottish connection was Tiffany McLauchlan, 17, of Glenormiston North, who took part in a highland dancing competition. She said she hoped to go to Scotland to see highland dancing where it had originated.
