Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Largs and around
Nineteen miles north of Irvine, tucked in between the hills and the sea,
LARGS
remains
the most traditional of Ayrshire's family resorts, its guesthouses and B&Bs spreading
out behind an elongated seaside promenade. Despite the obvious tack along parts of
the seafront, the town does have a couple of worthwhile sites, and is also where ferries
depart for the short hop across the water to Great Cumbrae.
Skelmorlie Aisle
Manse Court • June-Aug Mon-Sat 2-5pm; keys available from the museum next door • Free •
T
01475 687081
Largs' one real gem is
Skelmorlie Aisle
, a slice of the Renaissance hidden away beside
the old graveyard off Main Street - to get there, enter the yard opposite WHSmith.
Once the north transept of a larger church (long since gone), and now standing
alone in the graveyard, the aisle was converted in 1636 into a
mausoleum
by Sir
Robert Montgomerie, a local bigwig, in memory of his wife who died in a horse
riding accident. Carved by Scottish masons following Italian patterns, the tomb is
decorated with Montgomerie's coat of arms as well as symbols of mortality such as
the skull, winged hourglass and inverted torch. Up above, the intricate paintwork of
the barrel-vaulted ceiling includes the signs of the zodiac, biblical figures and texts.
Vikingar!
Greenock Road • Feb & Nov Sat & Sun 11.30am-2.30pm; March daily 11.30am-1.30pm; April-June daily 10.30am-2.30pm; July & Aug
daily 10.30am-3.30pm; Sept & Oct daily 10.30am-2.30pm • £4.50 •
T
01475 689777,
W
kaleisure.com
Largs' chief historical claim to fame is the
Battle of Largs
, which took place in 1263.
he battle was forced on King Haakon's Vikings when their longships were blown
ashore by a gale. he invaders were attacked by the Scots and, although both sides
claimed victory, the Norwegians retreated north and abandoned their territorial claims
to the Hebrides three years later. he battle provides a historical link for
Vikingar!
, five
minutes' walk north of the pier, a light-hearted Viking-themed museum housed in a
purpose-built leisure complex that also includes a swimming pool and theatre.
4
Kelburn Castle and Country Centre
Fairlie, 2 miles south of Largs • Easter-Oct daily 10am-6pm; castle tours July & Aug daily 2pm • £8.50; castle tours £2 •
T
01475 568685,
W
kelburnestate.com
he Battle of Largs is commemorated by the distinctive
Pencil Monument
in Fairlie, a
modern obelisk a mile south of town, close to the marina, and opposite the
Kelburn
Castle and Country Centre
, seat of the earls of Glasgow (aka the Boyle family) since the
twelfth century. he castle itself is no great shakes inside and can only be seen by
guided tour. Much more enticing are the
grounds
, which feature a steep gorge and
waterfall, 1000-year-old yew trees, an Adam monument and some lovely gardens.
here's also plenty for kids to do, including an adventure course (with high-wire), a
secret forest playground, pets' corner and pony riding.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
LARGS AND AROUND
By train
The train station is on Main Street, from where it's
a 5min walk to the pier and seafront.
Destinations
Glasgow Central (hourly; 1hr).
By bus
The bus station is on Main Street, next door to
the train station.
Destinations
Ayr (Mon-Sat every 30min, 4 on Sun; 1hr
30min); Glasgow (every 20-30min; 1hr 30min).
LARGS VIKING FESTIVAL
Largs' hugely entertaining, week-long
Viking Festival
(
W
largsvikingfestival.com) is held at the
end of August/beginning of September, with music, dance and fireworks. The highlights are
the burning of the Viking Longship and a re-enactment of the famous skirmish.
