Did you know that the first custom-designed silversmith studio in Scotland was built in Lundin Links at Mill Wynd back in 1973? This blog will tell the story of how that came about and the man behind it. Alistair Norman Grant, pictured below, was born on 18 November 1943 in Forres, Moray. After school, he attended Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, where he studied under silversmithing lecturer David Hodge, who Norman later credited with fostering his "interest in nature in its many forms as a source of designs". Leaving in 1966 with a D.A. in Silversmithing, initially Norman took a teacher training course in Dundee, followed by a teaching job at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes. Continuing to make jewellery in his spare time, in 1967 he started his own business, from his garden shed. 

Largo Lea was renamed Silverwells and from the house Norman ran a summer school programme from the workshop each July, from 1969 for seven years, which attracted students from around the world. The advert above appeared in the Scotsman newspaper of 3 May 1969 and the one below in the same newspaper on 13 February 1973. The latter notes that Norman appeared on a BBC1 programme called Scope that same week (a monthly BBC Scotland arts TV series that began in 1970). 
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The piece above appeared in the 16 October 1970 Dundee Courier. In this article Norman jokes about being destined to be a silversmith because his initials were AG - silver's symbol in the periodic table. He also talks about his efforts to establish his fledgling company, having to work seven days a week and having more requests than he could cope with. In the early 1970s interest in contemporary jewellery was flourishing and Norman's work in great demand. He took on two apprentices - Don Beaton and Robin Mackie. Soon he was in need of larger premises for the team to work in.
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The above item from the 18 July 1973 East Fife Mail an early silver and enamel design made in the Mill Wynd workshop, which was taken down to London to go on display at the Design Centre. The new workshop and growing business went from strength to strength - employing 15 people by 1975. The following year, 1976, saw the founding of 'Dust Jewellery' - a joint venture between Norman Grant and John Flegg. In 1977, the firm designed and made the silver match box from which came the match that Queen Elizabeth II lit the first of a nationwide chain of 102 beacons to mark her Silver Jubilee.
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'Dust' combined the traditional skills of the silversmith with new technology and a new range of titanium pieces was developed. The firm's workspace expanded into the buildings across the street and elsewhere in the village. As the above insert states "the colours on the titanium are achieved by causing an electric current to pass through the metal creating an illusion as changeable as a peacock's feather or as subtle as the iridescence from oil on water".​

Robert Carswell Paxton was born on 28 February 1853 in Kilmarnock to brewer George Paxton and his spouse Janet Muir Carswell. As the Old Parish Register extract below states, he was their fourth child and third son. His elder siblings were Ann (born 1849), George (1850) and John (1851). Four younger siblings followed - Isabella (1855), Jessie (1857), Mary (1860) and James (1862). Robert's father George was a second generation brewer. His father, also George Paxton, was a partner in William Wallace and Co, a company which operated from the Richardland Brewery on the River Irvine in Kilmarnock before taking the business over in his own right. George Paxton senior (1780-1856) married Isabella Carse in 1811 and built Richardland House, adjacent to the brewery, as the family home in 1820. His son, Robert's father, George Paxton (1815- 1868) took over the Richardland Brewery in 1846 and married Janet Muir Carswell in 1848. 

The 1861 census finds George, Janet and family at Richardland House (shown on the 1857 map above). There were seven children, including an 8-year-old Robert, in the household at the time plus three servants (a nurse, a house maid and a cook). Robert's father George Paxton died on 13 July 1868, from the effects of sunstroke, while in Salisbury. By the 1871 census, Janet was recorded as a widow, with four of her children still living with her. Robert was not among them and must have been elsewhere, either working or studying. In 1875 Robert is recorded as being in the 1st Ayrshire Rifle Volunteer Corps. While his elder brothers George and John took forward the brewery, an alternative option presented itself to Robert and his career took a completely different direction.
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In the 1870s, in Texas USA, the expansion of the railroad facilitated a boom in farming and ranching. Adverts such as the one above appeared in the press in the UK. Such an opportunity appealed to Robert Paxton and on 17 August 1878 he set sail for the USA, along with John Railton and David Sturrock, who were also from well-established Kilmarnock families. The three men had resolved to quit their native land and establish themselves in Texas. On the eve of their departure from Glasgow to New York, they were entertained for supper at the town's George Hotel, seen below. 
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Robert Paxton travelled onwards to West Texas and the Trans-Pecos region, becoming one of the early settlers of Terrell County. From its beginnings the economy there was dominated by cattle and sheep ranching and the area became one of the biggest sheep and wool producers in the US. Robert had arrived at a time when the new railroads were beginning to ease the shipment of livestock to markets. Within another couple of years the first successful refrigerated train cars hit the rails. Robert succeeded in his endeavours and remained in the US for many years.   

On 25 October 1894, Robert married Margaret Donald Baird, daughter of an ironmonger, at her family home in Kilmarnock. For many years following their marriage, Robert travelled between his ranch in Texas and Scotland. Margaret must have accompanied him on some occasions, as their eldest daughter Janet Hamilton Paxton (known as Jessie) was born in the USA in 1896 - in San Antonio - a larger settlement which was reachable by railway from the ranch. The land that Robert settled is now the Longfellow Ranch and here is an excerpt from the ranch’s history:

“The Longfellow Ranch, now owned by Malone Mitchell III, comprises 250,000 acres in Terrell County. Of that total, some 10,000 acres is leased land. The ranch varies from an elevation of 5000 feet on the west side to 3000 feet on the east side. In the late 1800s the southern part of the ranch was consolidated by some of the first settlers in Terrell County, Charles Downie and Robert Paxton, immigrants from Scotland. In the early 1920s the majority of the ranch was consolidated by the West family of Houston, who were in the oil and gas business. In the late 1950s it was split between the West brothers. Mitchell bought the ranch in 1995.”

Now with a wife and young child, Robert Paxton began to look for a family home in Scotland. The census of 1901, records him on a stay in Scotland with Margaret and Jessie, residing in Edinburgh with his sister Mary. His occupation was noted as "ranchman in Texas". It would appear that this was, in part, to search for a place to put down new roots. Although Robert and Margaret's main family ties were in Kilmarnock, they also had connections to Edinburgh.  Robert's paternal grandmother was from Edinburgh and other relatives lived there. At the time Lundin Links was a fashionable place among Edinburgh folks for summer vacations and second home ownership. Golf was also a strong draw and drier climate on the east coast made it a popular place to retire to.
 

Testing the Largo area out, Robert rented Drum Lodge, where second daughter Margaret Baird Paxton was born on 17 February 1902, followed by Isabella Carse Paxton (known as Isabel) on 22 June 1904. The family subsequently rented Elphinstone on Crescent Road, where fourth daughter Emily Wallace Paxton was born on 15 October 1907. Now a family of six, Robert and Margaret bought 'Homelands' pictured above in 1908 as their permanent family home.

However, the Texas connection was not entirely severed. At the time of the 1911 census, while Margaret and her three youngest daughters were at Homelands, it seems likely that Robert and Jessie were on a visit to the USA. Also recorded in the Homelands household at the time were a governess, a cook and a housemaid. Family life was sadly disrupted when four-year-old Emily developed tubercular meningitis and died at Homelands on 3 April 1912, aged four. In 1913 Robert was recorded making another voyage to the USA, where he was still described on the passenger list as a cattle rancher, aged 60. The First World War appears to have finally brought his Texas connection to an end.
 
The Paxton family all became active members of the Lundin links community. Robert was Captain of Lundin Golf Club 1908-09 and can be seen on the far left of the front row wearing a dark suit in the 1909 photograph below, taken to mark the opening of the new course. He also served on the Parish Council (chairing it for a time), gifted a well-equipped recreation hut to the village and laid out the Pitch and Putt facility at the golf club. He was a keen photographer and captured many historic local images including the first cars crossing the new road bridge at Lower Largo Harbour in 1914. He also became a local Justice of the Peace.
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In 1923 Robert gave a talk at the Literary branch of the village social club, entitled "The Cowboy" which provided an insight to his earlier strenuous occupation as a rancher (covered in the 8 February Leven Advertiser). He described a "young fellow from this country who wished to become a cowboy" and noted the "pleasure of crossing the Atlantic". Robert went on to talk about those out to "entrap and rob him" upon his arrival in New York, the difficulties in learning to ride a horse, the "tricks of all kinds" played upon him and the lively events which occurred at brandings and round-ups. Dangerous stampedes, loss of cattle over steep precipices and the destruction of wagons by out of control animals were also among the tales told. Robert noted that, even once the great cattle drives were replaced by rail transportation, the task of ensuring live cattle did not topple trains on journeys lasting several days was a challenge. Clearly, young Robert had sought adventure in his life - and had found it in abundance in Texas.
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In 1926, Robert contracted tuberculosis and over that summer he went to Kingussie in Perthshire, known for its clean air. The Grampian Sanatorium, where he stayed, had opened in 1901 and had been built specifically for the treatment of tuberculosis. Sited 900 feet above sea level, patients' beds were routinely taken outside to maximise the perceived benefits of the fresh air. On 8 Oct 1926, Robert died there, aged 73 years. The reporting of his death in the Leven Mail highlighted his "charm of manner and unostentatious generosity" which had "won a place in the heart of the parish".

Robert Paxton was buried at Kilmarnock cemetery with his young daughter Emily. A striking monument, known as the Paxton Memorial Cross had been erected in 1921, designed by Robert's youngest brother James, an architect. Robert's wife Margaret died on 7 October 1941 at Homelands and is also buried at Kilmarnock. Daughters Jessie (1896-1962), Margaret (1902-1966) and Isabel (1904-1993) all had remarkable lives and the family's legacy continues to this day through the Homelands Trust in Lundin Links.
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Above is a 'now and then' pair of images showing the St Andrews Road just outside of Upper Largo. The black and white postcard image dates to circa 1900 and features a well-established hedge which has long since disappeared, replaced by a fence. The field beyond the fence was once subdivided into smaller enclosures. The buildings of Chesterstone Farm can be seen in both images, just in front of the gentler slope of the Law on the right. The farm buildings of course have been altered and modernised over the decades. The road itself is far more engineered today, with its tarmac surface, kerbing and painted road markings. It is no longer a place that would encourage you to take a gentle stroll to admire the view across the fields.

The postcard's caption incorrectly states that the view was captured "a mile north of Upper Largo". In fact it was only just outside the edge of the village, taken from where the field marked "glebe" on the map below borders the road. The glebe field was later subsumed into the larger field on its right. Field sizes generally grew as mechanisation advanced, with many hedges lost. The village of Upper Largo has expanded along the St Andrews Road since the time of this map and the postcard view. Much of the area named "Willow Park" is now developed.

Tenant farmer at Chesterstone Farm back at the turn of the century was John Duncan, as the 1901 list of the Largo Estate tenant farmers below states. Collessie-born Duncan replaced James Houston at Martinmas 1897 and remained at Chesterstone for a decade. He retired at Martinmas 1907, to be followed as tenant farmer by James Ochiltree.

Take a moment to spot the differences between the two postcard images above of Largo Kirk.
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The major difference is the extension to the right of centre (beneath the spire in the image). This additional space between the chancel and the south transept was created to house a new vestry (to supersede the one at the entrance gate) and a staircase providing access to the Lundin gallery (the old internal staircase to this being removed). Note also that the windows have also been altered, to become more ornate. Wooden mullions were replaced with stone mullions and decorative stonework with an interlacing design introduced. These changes were part of much wider works to both interior and exterior in 1894-95. The older top image dates to just before these renovations and the lower image to soon afterwards. 

​The East of Fife Record piece below announced on 9 February 1894 that the "parish church here is shortly to undergo extensive alterations". The costs associated with the works would be met by Mr John Gilmour of Montrave. While the alternations took place, the congregation would meet in the Simpson Institute for morning services and the U.P. church in Lower Largo for evening services. The minister at this time was Reverend James Robert Burt.
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The 23 March 1894 East of Fife Record (above) provided details of the contractors appointed to carry out the work. Note that the mason work was carried out by a Glasgow firm, as was the joiner work. In both cases, their specialist elements would be completed in Glasgow and later transported along the Forth and Clyde Canal in lighters (barges) and then landed at Largo Pier. Some local tradesmen did get involved in the renovations as well. The slater work was done by Alexander Williamson and the plumber work by Robert Melville. 

Meanwhile, by the summer of 1894, the St Andrews Citizen reported that "a large majority of the Parish Church congregation are not attending the services in the Simpson Institute". The explanation was that they wanted to enable summer visitors to have the opportunity to attend these daytime services. Congregation members elected to attend the evening services in Lower Largo (see below). 
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Inside the Church, one of the areas most altered was the east-facing chancel. Previously, the chancel had housed the out-of-date heating apparatus, and was separated from the nave by a low round arch. Post-renovation, the entrance to the chancel was a tall, graceful Gothic arch featuring finely moulded pilasters. ​The chancel was also fitted up with choir stalls and a communion table, as seen in the photograph above captured shortly after renovations. At the east end of the chancel was a new stained glass window (shown below as it is today) which is dedicated to the service of praise. 
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Further new stained glass windows were added during the renovations, including a new rose window in memory of Sir Andrew Wood added to the north end of the Largo Gallery by representatives of the Wood family. At the same time, John Baxter of Gilston had a stained glass window installed, in memory of his wife Amy Constance Baxter (1853-1881), positioned to the right of the pulpit. 
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A new decorative open timber roof replaced the old ceiling and the fronts of the three galleries were done up in a similar intricate design. The old box-seats and high-backed pews were replaced with new pine pews with ledges and umbrella stands. A new pulpit (seen in detail below) was also created in corresponding design to the other joinery work (although this was replaced in 1965 with pulpit from the closed Newburn Parish Church). 
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The maps below show the difference in the footprint of the church before and after the alterations.
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Upon completion of the works, the re-opening of the Church was scheduled for Sunday 17 March 1895. The Parishioners were reported to be "in a state of high pleasurable excitement". On the big day "the whole parish was early astir", with many also joining from the surrounding district, according to the 23 March St Andrews Citizen. The Moderator of the General Assembly, Professor Robert Herbert Story, was in attendance. Now able to accommodate 700, every pew in the church was filled. Mr and Mrs Gilmour and their two sons were seated in the front row of the Lundin Gallery. Professor Story and Reverend Burt led the service, while the choir and organist Mr Alexander led the praise.