The circa 1890 photograph above shows a corner of Lower Largo that has several connections to a man called Andrew Selkirk. The tallest building in the centre background with the many chimneys is Edina View. In front of that is Alexandra House (dark coloured house with three windows visible) and on the far right is the Crusoe Hotel. Between the hotel and Edina View are some old dwellings whose days were numbered when this image was captured.
Andrew Selkirk was born in 1836 in the coal shipping port of St David's, east of Inverkeithing to Alexander Selkirk and Elizabeth Berwick. However, his family's roots were firmly in Largo. Andrew Selkirk was the great-great-great-great grandson of John Selcraig and Euphan Mackie (the parents of Alexander Selkirk (1676-1721), inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’). Descended from Alexander’s eldest brother David, Andrew's grandfather had a 'four loom shop' in Lower Largo at the time when the Durhams were at Largo House. Sir Philip Durham was interested in the manufacture of table linen and frequently visited the shop. Sir Philip married second wife Anne Henderson, daughter and heir of Sir John Henderson of Fordell in 1817 and when he took up residence at Fordell he appointed Alexander Selkirk (father of Andrew and son of the linen manufacturer) as clerk at St David's where coals were shipped from the Fordell colliery.
However, by the time of the 1841 census, the family were back in Largo where Alexander was now a grocer. A few years later Alexander took over the Steamboat Inn (now Crusoe Hotel). When his son Andrew left school, he initially set out to become a joiner and went to Drumeldrie as an apprentice. Later he worked in Cupar for Robert Douglas, engineer and millwright. When Douglas set up business in Kirkcaldy, Selkirk moved with him. In the 1861 census Andrew was living on Kirkcaldy High Street and is described as an engine fitter.
However, by the time of the 1841 census, the family were back in Largo where Alexander was now a grocer. A few years later Alexander took over the Steamboat Inn (now Crusoe Hotel). When his son Andrew left school, he initially set out to become a joiner and went to Drumeldrie as an apprentice. Later he worked in Cupar for Robert Douglas, engineer and millwright. When Douglas set up business in Kirkcaldy, Selkirk moved with him. In the 1861 census Andrew was living on Kirkcaldy High Street and is described as an engine fitter.
Not long after this, Andrew Selkirk emigrated to New Zealand with fellow Largo man Walter Guthrie. Accordingly to the Leven Advertiser of 31 March 1909 (reporting on Andrew's death), the pair ended up at the gold mines. They found employment making furniture for the prospectors and built a boat with which to ply up and down the river with their wares. They also tried their hands at house building. However, Selkirk's desire to return home brought him back to Scotland within a few years (unlike Guthrie, who lived out his days in New Zealand). In 1866 he married Largo farmer's daughter Isabella Kinnear in Edinburgh. They settled in Leith where Andrew resumed his occupation as an engine fitter. However, Andrew must have also maintained his links to Largo, as he was elected a deacon of Largo Baptist Church in 1868. In 1871, the couple were living in south Leith with their young sons, Alexander and John. Sadly, the following year Isabella died from smallpox aged 35 years.
Andrew relocated soon afterwards to Largo, where he married Jane Henderson in 1874. He changed occupation again - this time becoming a salmon fisherman (a job he had assisted his father with over many summers). The 1881 census finds Andrew, Jane, Alexander and John residing at Harbour Cottage, Lower Largo, along with a servant, a lodger and a visitor. A decade later Andrew and Jane are at Alexandra House (perhaps this was Harbour Cottage with a new name). They are still there in 1901 (when Andrew is described as a 'salmon taxman'). The Selkirk family leased the salmon fishing in Largo estate for over sixty years.
House building continued to be an interest of Andrew's and he was responsible for the transformation of the sea front to the east of the Crusoe Hotel around 1890 when he built "Edina View", "Rock View" and "Beach House" on the site of some old and rundown properties. Forming one long terrace, these properties were built by the time of the 1891 census. The eastern most block was built first and some old photos show it standing next to the very old dwellings that were about to be replaced. Below are a pair of images showing the seafront view before and after the building of Edina View (phase one of the bigger development). The annotated numbers 1, 3, 4 and 5 show the equivalent buildings in each view, while number 2 shows a fairly basic looking sea defence built in front of building 4, perhaps indicating that these old buildings were considered to be at risk from the sea. The replacement buildings were set further back from the tide.
Andrew Selkirk was very proud of these striking new buildings. The Dundee Evening Telegraph of 24 March 1909 noted at the time of his death that "Mr Selkirk owned much property, which was planned and largely built by himself." Andrew was survived by his sons Dr Alexander Selkirk and John Kinnear Selkirk (a marine engineer). The Lower Largo properties were divided between them. In the 1930s, the Fortes bought Alexandra House from Dr Selkirk and created the Rio Cafe. Andrew Selkirk was commemorated with a stained glass window in Largo Baptist Church, shown at the foot of this post.
Andrew Selkirk was very proud of these striking new buildings. The Dundee Evening Telegraph of 24 March 1909 noted at the time of his death that "Mr Selkirk owned much property, which was planned and largely built by himself." Andrew was survived by his sons Dr Alexander Selkirk and John Kinnear Selkirk (a marine engineer). The Lower Largo properties were divided between them. In the 1930s, the Fortes bought Alexandra House from Dr Selkirk and created the Rio Cafe. Andrew Selkirk was commemorated with a stained glass window in Largo Baptist Church, shown at the foot of this post.
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