Largs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Largs (grid reference NS203592) is a burgh on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland, about 33 miles (53 km) from Glasgow.
It is a popular seaside resort with a pier. The original name means "the slopes" (An Leargaidh Ghallda) in Scottish Gaelic, and the National Mod has also been held here in the past. Some Scots Gaelic signposts are still up.
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[edit] History
Largs evolved from the estates of North Cunninghame over which the Montgomeries of Skelmorlie became temporal lords in the seventeenth century. Sir Robert Montgomerie built Skelmorlie Aisle in the ancient kirk of Largs in 1636 as a family mausoleum. Today the monument is all that remains of the old kirk.
From its beginnings as a small village around its kirk, Largs evolved into a busy and popular seaside resort in the nineteenth century. Large hotels appeared and the pier was constructed in 1834. It was not until 1895, however, that the railway made the connection to Largs, sealing the town's popularity.
It also became a fashionable place to live, and several impressive mansions were built, most significant of which included 'Netherhall', the residence of William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, the physicist and engineer.
Largs has historical connections much further back, however. It was the site of the Battle of Largs in 1263, in which parts of a Scottish army attacked a small force of Norwegians attempting to salvage ships from a fleet carrying the armies of King Magnus III of Mann and the Isles and his liege lord King Haakon IV Haakonson, beached during a storm. The Norwegians and islemen had been raiding the Scottish coast for some time, and the Scots under Alexander III had been following the fleet, attempting to catch its raiding parties. The outcome of this confrontation is uncertain, as both sides claims victory in their respecive chronicles and sagas and the only independent source of the war failing to mention the battle at all. The battle was followed soon after by the death of the 59-year old King Haakon in Bishop's Palace on Orkney. As a result of the king's demise, the accent of his more lenient son Magnus VI Haakonson and the Treaty of Perth in 1266, the Hebrides were sold to Scotland, as was the Isle of Man after the demise of King Magnus III of the Isle of Man.
During World War II King Haakon VII of Norway, then in exile in Britain due to the German occupation of his kingdom, visited Largs and was made the town's first honorary citizen.
[edit] Places of Interest
Despite its diminished status as a holiday resort, much of Largs is still geared towards tourism. There is the award winning Vikingar Centre at Barrfields, an interactive look into the history of Viking life; Kelburn Country Centre, Barrfields Pavilion Theatre, Largs Swimming Pool, Douglas Park and Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre. But it is best known for 'Nardinis', the famous ice cream parlour, cafe and restaurant, that has dominated the Esplanade for decades, but has been closed pending clearance from Historic Scotland for renovation.
Also of interest is a neolithic tomb behind Douglas Park. Known as the Haylie Chambered Tomb it was once covered by a cairn of stones (known as Margaret's Law). When it was uncovered in the early twentieth century the tomb was dated to around 3000 to 2000 BC.
Skelmorlie Aisle, adjoining the local museum, is in the care of Historic Scotland and is open during the summer.
A Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service runs from Largs to Great Cumbrae, and the paddle steamer Waverley also calls in at the pier during cruises. The town is the end of the railway line from Glasgow to North Ayrshire and also lies on the main A78 road. It remains a popular destination for holiday-makers and weekenders from Glasgow all year round.
Largs is also the birthplace of the soldier and Australian Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane, the actors Daniela Nardini and John Sessions, and the golfer Sam Torrance. Though not born in Largs, musician and songwriter Graham Lyle of Gallagher and Lyle was brought up there and still returns to visit his holiday home.
[edit] External links
- Largs Thistle Football Club
- LargsOnline.co.uk - The Most Comprehensive Guide to Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland
- Vikingar
- Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre
- Largs Old Kirk/Skelmorlie Aisle
- Skelmorlie Aisle
- Largs Academy
- 2001 census - population profile for Largs
[edit] Further reading
- McSherry, R&M (1997) Old Largs
- Ross, David (2005) Scotland - History of a Nation
