How Scottish Mercenaries Became Norwegian Legends

The ill-fated Sinclair Expedition, also known as the Scottish Expedition to Norway in 1612, left a deep imprint on Norwegian cultural and folk memory. What began as a military operation during a time of Scandinavian conflict between Denmark-Norway and Sweden evolved into a legendary tale woven into the fabric of Norwegian folklore. The memory of the Scottish soldiers, particularly the expedition's leader George Sinclair, has been preserved through ballads, songs, place names, and monuments, creating a story that is as much about myth and legend as it is about historical fact.