Viking longboat 'invades' the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside

The Gaia was at the Quayside for an Olympic Festival Credit: Natalie McQuaid

A Viking longboat sailed up the River Tyne yesterday as part of an Olympic Festival at the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside.

The Gaia, is a replica of a 24-metre Viking longship that was excavated at Gokstad, Norway in 1880. She's made of oak like traditional Viking ships, and weighs more than 12 tons. Despite it's design being more than a thousand years old, the vessel can reach speeds of up to 10 knots.

The ship set off from France on July 17, and made a brief stop in the Channel Islands en route to the North East. The Gaia was in the region over the weekend and was greeted by hundreds of onlookers as she was rowed up the Tyne on Sunday afternoon.

See her visit in pictures

Crowds flocked to see the Gaia at the Quayside Credit: Natalie McQuaid
The crew were dressed as Vikings Credit: Natalie McQuaid
The ship had been in France and the Channel Islands before it arrived in the North East Credit: Natalie McQuaid
The Gaia can reach speeds of up to 10 Knots Credit: Natalie McQuaid
The 'Next Wave' is escorting the Gaia back to Norway Credit: Natalie McQuaid
Both ships departed the Quayside at around 4pm on Sunday Credit: Natalie McQuaid