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.