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.
They had an enormous influence on the language, communities and culture of Scotland, with traditions that are still kept alive to this very day.
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.
13. The Govan Stones
Now on display at the Govan Old Parish Church in Glasgow, the Govan Stones are lost carvings of the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde. Forty six stones were discovered in the graveyard in the 19th century, including a sarcophagus (pictured), five hogback stones and 31 recumbent gravestones - each weighing half a ton. They are believed to date back to the 9th century, when warlords battled for control of the Clyde region. Photo: Wikimedia Commons