Largs
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Template:Infobox Scotland place
Largs (Template:Gbmapping) 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" (Na 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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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 a Scottish army attacked 900 men from the armies of King Magnus III of Mann and the Isles and his ally King Haakon IV Haakonson Image:Largs Pencil.jpgof Norway. The outcome of this confrontation is still debated, but the fact of the matter is that the 900 were not wiped out and the Norse fleet remained intact. The battle was however followed soon after by the death of King Haakon 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 came under Scottish rule, as did the Isle of Man after the demise of King Magnus III of Mann and the Isles.
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 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.
Image:Haylie Cairn.JPG 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 and the actors Daniela Nardini and John Sessions.
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
Further reading
- McSherry, R&M (1997) Old Largs
- Ross, David (2005) Scotland - History of a Nationde:Largs