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Emsdorf Road

26/5/2017

There are many postcard images of Emsdorf Street in Lundin Links - see here and here for examples. Above is a much rarer view featuring nearby Emsdorf Road. Taken circa 1930, from the junction with Crescent Road, this would have been a well-worn path for folks heading back from the beach. Turbayne's shop is at the far end of the road, at the junction with Hillhead Street.

Note that there is a shop frontage on the right hand side closer to the camera. This was the plumber's business of James Simpson and the adjacent house was named 'Torwood'. James Simpson had the house, plumber's shop and workshop for many years (at least from c1920 to c1950). He was also a poultrykeeper and treasurer of St David's church in Lower Largo. Back in 1932 there was an incident outside the shop. Then, as now, there was a bus stop on the opposite side of the street. The Courier of 3 April reported that two Leven men had:

"on 10th January while passengers in a motor bus at Lundin Links near the shop occupied by James Simpson, plumber 1) conducted themselves in a disorderly manner; 2) wilfully damaged or smashed a pane of glass in the vehicle; and 3) made excessive noises by singing and shouting to the annoyance of the passengers".

If you recall this shop, please comment.

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Largo Harbour from a Sailing Perspective

19/5/2017

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The above map is taken from the Pilot Handbook (East Coast of Scotland) of 1974. This book provides sailing directions, anchorages, harbours, etc to yacht users. Advice on the approach to Lower Largo then was as follows:

"Suitable for smaller yachts drawing up to 3ft. Approach from SE heading for the old railway viaduct (conspicuous). When about 100 yards offshore, line up on West face of pier and follow this line in - beware reef of rocks close on West side of this line (marked by poles) - stones on East side well covered near HW. Harbour open 2.5 hours either side of HW. Do not attempt entry in heavy onshore seas or if river in spate."

The notes on mooring were:

"Exposed anchorage about 1/4 mile offshore in about 1.5 fathoms on sandy bottom. Harbour space restricted. Yachts lie alongside Quay at Crusoe Hotel. Watch out for yachts lying off pier on running moorings. Bottom alongside pier fouled by some loose stones. Harbour liable to surge in onshore winds and can be dangerous if river in strong spate."

The facilities in the "very attractive village...well worth a stay" were noted as "Water at hotel. Telephone at Bridge. Shops in village. Garage at main road (1/2 mile up hill). Several good hotels. Fish and Chip shop. HQ Largo Bay Sailing Club who have dinghy launching facilities. Good beach. Buses to Leven and East Neuk."

Below is the map of the wider area included in the guide. Of Largo Bay, it was stated that "this bay shoals well out and is dangerous in strong onshore winds". Note the North Carr Lightship was still in service, anchored off Fife Ness, at the time. The following year - 1975 - it was taken out of service and served as a tourist attraction in Anstruther for many years thereafter. This vessel is currently awaiting restoration, with plans to exhibit her on Dundee waterfront.

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Crusoe Statue at Glasgow Garden Festival

11/5/2017

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In October 1987, after over a century in place, Largo's iconic statue of Robinson Crusoe was lifted out of its niche in the Crusoe Buildings on Main Street and taken to Perthshire. There, the half-ton, bronze monument would be given a thorough clean up and repair job by Bill Hepworth of Alyth Art Foundry. The East Fife Mail reported that the work "would be a painstaking process, involving delicate cleaning with a wire brush and examining the state of the metal afterwards. All the work would be done by hand, as chemicals or machinery often left telltale signs. The job would last at least a month and would cost around £1400."

However, locals would have to wait much longer than a month to see the return of the statue. Rather than return home straight away, Crusoe went on an adventure to the Glasgow Garden Festival - which ran from 26 April to 26 September 1988. Below is an image of the statue being placed on site at the festival prior to its official opening (next to Selkirk descendent Allan Jardine). Crusoe was located in the 'Water and Maritime' themed section of the festival, alongside tall ships, Navy ships and water-sports. This sector of the event aimed to showcase "Scotland's rich history of maritime trade and exploration".

However, being placed at ground level, rather than the intended elevated position, and being painted green for some reason, the T.Stuart Burnett statue was not shown in the most favourable light. Many visitors were left underwhelmed by the exhibit. Surely Largo folks were relieved to see him return home, restored to his normal colour! If you recall visiting Crusoe at the Glasgow Garden Festival, remember his absence from Lower Largo or know why he was painted green - please comment.

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Thomas Stuart Burnett A.R.S.A.

5/5/2017

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As a follow-up to the previous post on the unveiling of the statue at Crusoe Buildings in 1885, here is a little background on the sculptor who created the likeness of 'Robinson Crusoe' in bronze. Note that it was designed to depict the fictional character, as opposed to the real-life Alexander Selkirk (of whom there was no image or likeness in existence). Some visual representation of the character was much desired locally, hence the public movement to raise subscriptions for a monument (although the cost was ultimately met by David Gillies). The motto "Robinson Crusoe now we see, good and great at last" was one of several messages which were displayed on banners at the unveiling event.

Thomas Stuart Burnett was born in Edinburgh in 1853 and was the son of lithographic printer Robert Alexander Burnett and his wife Annie Stuart. Already a sculptor by the age of 18, Burnett studied under William Brodie and was elected an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1883. His other works include a statue of Rob Roy (1885), shown as insert, which is remarkably similar in style to the Crusoe statue; a statue of General Gordon and two small statues on the Scott Monument in Edinburgh.

Burnett died in 1888 at the early age of 34 from pneumonia. He is buried at Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh, alongside wife Margaret Irving. His grave is marked with a Celitc cross which bears an image of his profile, sculpted by John Stevenson Rhind (see below).

As the Scotsman of 12 December 1885 stated: "The commemoration of great men by the erection of their statues is a custom which has, or recent years, grown into greater favour amongst us". The article points out the challenges to the sculptor's art of the "soot-laden atmosphere of our great cities" and the "difficulty of the costume of the nineteenth century Briton". Yet, it goes on, Mr Burnett had not to contend with either challenge in his Largo commission, given the "pure air of the Fifeshire village" and the "unconventional attire" of the subject. The Crusoe statue would not "come to wear the grimy aspect which soon mars the beauty of most statues".

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Emsdorf Road

Largo Harbour from a Sailing Perspective

Crusoe Statue at Glasgow Garden Festival

Thomas Stuart Burnett A.R.S.A.

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