The History of the Largs area
The
word 'Largs' probably derives from the Gaelic word 'learg' meaning a grassy
slope. There has been activity in the area dating back to the Neolithic
era and the Burial Chamber in Douglas Park dates from around 3000BC. The
remains of the vitrified fort on Knock Hill date to the Iron Age or around
500BC. There is also evidence of the Romans in Largs with Roman Baths
unearthed in 1820.
Largs was a centre for handloom weaving and fishing with over 50 boats.
It grew as a seaside resort with visitors arriving by steamboat prior
to the railway being extended from Fairlie in 1885. In fact the first
summer visitors to Largs were the Reids who in 1782 traveled from Glasgow
by various means including farm carts taking 2 days to arrive.
Fairlie was an important sheltered harbour as far back as the 16th Century
used by fishing boats and merchant ships. 
Fairlie
Castle part way up the Fairlie Glen was built in 1521 and was the seat
of the Fairlies until the 18th Century. The town began to grow with the
coming of the railway in 1880. A station at Fairlie pier opened the way
for boat trains from Kilmarnock and Glasgow bringing tourists to meet
the cruise ships to Arran and Cumbrae. The station is no longer operational
although the main Fairlie station is still active on the line to Largs.
Fairlie was famous for its yachts produced by four generations of the
Fife family. Famous racing yachts include the Marquess of Ailsa's Bloodhound
(winner of the 1909 Prince of Wales Cup). The yard closed in 1980.
The Vikings:
The Pencil monument
at Largs commemorates the 
Battle
of Largs where the Scots repelled the troops of King Haco of Norway in
1263. This was the culmination of a series of raids on the West Coast
of Scotland in an attempt to recapture land the Vikings had lost in their
battle against Alexander III. In 1263 a fleet of 160 long ships approached
Largs only to be caught in a storm and attacked by the Scots on the shore
at Largs. Although not a major battle it was the beginning of the end
of Viking domination. The Pencil was built in 1912 and can be seen from
miles around Largs. For more information on the Vikings in Scotland visit
the Vikingar
centre in Largs.
Kelburn:
Other Historical Facts:
Knock Castle (private)
was built for Robert Steele a Greenock industrialist to a design by Thomas
Rochead in 1853 (the same architect of the Wallace Monument at Stirling).
Near the bridge over the Noddsdale at the North end of Largs is the gatehouse
to the former Netherhall House. This was once the home of Lord Kelvin
famous Glasgow scientist who was most well known for his Kelvin temperature
scale based on absolute zero. He is buried in Westminster Abbey beside
Sir Isaac Newton.
The Vikingar centre at Barrfields was once the base for Flying Boats during
World War II.
The Brisbanes of Brisbane
were important landowners in Largs and Brisbane Glen is named after Thomas
Brisbane. General Sir Thomas MacDougall Brisbane was a keen astronomer
with his own observatory near Largs. He was Governor of Australia, 1821-26
and gave his name to the Australian City of Brisbane. There is a slab
roofed burial aisle for the Brisbanes dating from 1634 in the Old Churchyard
just off the Main Street. More elaborate is the Skelmorlie Aisle, a remnant
of the former Parish Church. This elaborately carved tomb was built for
the Montgomeries of Skelmorlie in 1636. There is a magnificent painted
timber ceiling. This is located near to the Largs and District Historical
Society’s Museum where you can learn more about the history of the
area.
The book Ayrshire
and Arran An Illustrated Architectural Guide by Rob Close is worth
having if you are investigating the castles and houses in Ayrshire.