Meanwhile back in Fife, the sport of golf continued to grow and the courses around Leven and Lundin Links were particularly popular. So in 1895 David made plans to return home and had plans drawn up for a new dwelling, with connected shop premises (shown above). The sasine register (land register) entry dated 2 March 1896 below describes the feu which owner of the Lundin estate John Gilmour granted to David Patrick, then of Wimbledon Common. 
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The plot was on what would become Golf Road - described then as "street to the Links by the under Railway Bridge". The railway bridge can clearly be seen in the 1899 photograph below. The year 1896, when David arrived in Lundin Links, is significant because it was the same year as the opening of the new clubhouse at Lundin Golf Club and the opening of the outlet of Alex Patrick's business at Lundin Links.

​Such was the demand for quality locally made golf clubs, that David set up his own club making business, about 100 metres away from his brother's shop and began making clubs in his own name. The photograph below shows two red arrows - the one on the left points to David's premises and the one on the right to Alex's shop (obscured by the club house). 

David and Rebecca named their new home Linksview, and soon other new villas were built in this corner of the village. Note in the image above that a sign stating D.M. Patrick is just visible above shop window and that there is also wording advertising the business under the eave of the gable end. In the 1905 book Rambles in Scoonie and Wemyss by Andrew Storrar Cunningham, the author notes that like his older brother Alex, David Patrick "also has a world-wide reputation" for his clubs. 
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The pair of adverts below both appeared in the 1907 book by A.S. Cunningham, Upper Largo, Lower Largo, Lundin Links and Newburn.

David Patrick remained at Linksview for the remainder of his long life. The 1921 census finds him aged 63 years, still making golf clubs there. In 1923 he laid out the new pitch and putt course at Lundin Golf Club along with Robert Paxton. David's wife Rebecca died in 1933. He remarried in 1935 to Mary Ann McLeod at the Commercial Hotel in Upper Largo. Mary died in 1944 and on 4 August 1948, David passed away at the age of 90 years. His headstone, pictured below, is at Scoonie Cemetery.

Last October a blog post covered the creative enterprise Genesis Creations Limited which was once based in Mill Wynd, Lundin Links - click here to read.

Since the publication of that blog, a copy of a colour product brochure and a documentary-style video have been kindly shared by Tony Harmsworth, who was Managing Director of the company. Extracts from the colour brochure can be seen above and below and the brochure can be accessed in PDF format in full via the links below:

Genesis Brochure Front

Genesis Brochure Inside

Genesis moved into the Mill Wynd Studio in May 1988 and the company grew over the months that followed. Tony carefully put together a video in June 1990 detailing the processes involved in the creation of the Genesis products. The video includes footage of the Lundin Links workshop - both inside and outside - as well as of the office facilities next door at Marlynn Cottage and the production facility at Levenmouth Business Centre in Leven. The film explains that most of the research and development work was undertaken at the studio in Lundin Links, which was originally built as a silversmith workshop for Norman Grant in 1973. The 1990 film about Genesis Creations is available online in two parts - you can view part one here and part two here. 

As the film describes, an original creation typically starts as a piece of wax, which is intricately sculpted using a range of fine tools. This is the 'master' piece from which a silicone mould can then be made. The silicone mould is subsequently used to form the many replicas of each master piece. Each cast copy piece is then treated, ready to be painted by a member of the team of artists. The finished article is carefully packaged before being sent out to one of the many outlets across the UK and overseas. The film concludes with footage from a trade fair in Birmingham, where Genesis hosted a stand.

Within the film, a display of the master pieces can be seen. Carol Lynn Penny the Creative Director, pictured below, is seen at work. Alan Harrower the main castle sculptor talks about the tools he used to create an intricate crystal castle. The process of the creation of moulds is explained and much more. The film is a fascinating insight to the creativity that went on behind the windows of the Mill Wynd Studio and at the workshop in Leven, and provides real sense of the scale of operations and wide range of designs produced.

The film also explains how the Genesis Creations story came to an end during a time of recession. It was a terribly sad end to a story of enterprise and creativity and its loss still resonates today. Lundin Links was fortunate to have such an innovative endeavour based in the village. If you worked at Genesis Creations, visited the workshop or own one of their pieces - please share your memories by leaving a comment.
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The building in the postcard image above was known as Swan's Victoria Boarding Residence a century ago. Later divided into the flats of Victoria Court, this building on Victoria Road in Lundin Links was first constructed around 1907, when it was named Victoria House. At that time there was an explosion in Boarding House style accommodation in the village, to meet the demand for seaside and golfing breaks.

Building contractor Walter Horne was the original owner of the building. He sold the premises to Edinburgh baker and confectioner Johnston Wright Swan in the early 1920s. The 2 April 1924 Scotsman advert below describes Swan's Victoria Boarding Residence as "now open". As the advert states, the location of the residence was ideal - close to the station, golf course, beach and other sporting facilities - with the bonus of steam trains passing by the gardens.
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Johnston Swan (who may well be the taller man in the image above) came from a family of bakers and was a prize-winning baker himself. During his tenure, an extension was built to accommodate a cafe and bakehouse. This can be seen below and in the coloured postcard further below. 
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Mr Swan's talents were not limited to catering and baking however. He was also a musician. The piece below from 11 February 1928 Fife News notes his entertaining a company from St David's Church with his Swanee jazz-o-phone one-man band - which comprised no less than nine different instruments!
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The three images above illustrate the changing face of Largo House over the years. First built around 1750 for James Durham (1732-1808), it was his eldest son James Durham (1754-1840) that extended the original mansion to the layout shown at the top in the 1812 engraving. Soon afterwards, in 1815, he had the stable block built to designs by Alexander and James Leslie.

The engraving appeared in the Scots Magazine and Edinburgh Literary Miscellany of 1 April 1812 alongside a brief description of the property. In the engraving, Largo House appears quite stark, without the mature planting around it nor railings around the steps. In fact there are no signs of life in and around the building, aside from the trees in the background. Notice the gate and stone wall to the rear of the house, however, providing easy access to the orchard and walled garden.

The 1812 depiction was drawn by John Burnet and sculpted (engraved) by Robert Scott (13 November 1777–1841) the renowned Scottish engraver. Burnet was one of Scott's pupils. John Burnet was born and raised in Fisherrow in Musselburgh, a village just outside Edinburgh. His father George Burnet was the surveyor-general of excise for Scotland. John received some initial artistic training before taking a seven years apprenticeship with Scott. ​

Robert Scott first became known for a set of Views of Seats and Scenery chiefly in the Environs of Edinburgh, published in 1795 and 1796. He contributed plates for many years to the Scots Magazine, including this one of Largo House (and another featuring Lundin House). Eventually, he obtained a studio at 65 Princes Street in Edinburgh. One of his depictions of Robert Burns is shown below and a link to more examples of his work can be found here.
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Coming back to Largo House owner, James Durham - after the death of his wife Elizabeth (daughter of Colonel Sheldon of Flitwick House) in 1826, James married for a second time in 1827 to Margaret, eldest daughter of Colonel John Anstruther Thomson of Charlton. The pair made further additions to Largo House around 1830 by extending further to the rear of the building. Another significant, if smaller scale, change made during General Durham's era was the addition of a coat of arms to the tympanum on the frontage of Largo House.
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The full heraldic achievement of General James Durham bears two mottoes: Victoria non praeda (Victory not booty (or loot)) above the crest; and below the arms: Per mare per terras (Through the sea, through the lands). Note that in the view of the coat of arms below you can just make out the carved wording underneath which states Genl. James Durham 1830.
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It seems likely that the 1750 date was added at the same time, as the lettering styles appear very similar (see comparison below). The construction of Largo House probably spanned over more than one year, around two and three quarter centuries ago.
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The sender of this 1903 postcard hoped that Miss Allan would like the view of Drummochy. On the reverse, the writer continued... 

Got home all right and found Father and Mother well. Raining cats and dogs. Hope it will fair before morning.

There's certainly lots to like about the view and many details worth highlighting, many of which are long gone. The fishing nets out drying on tall posts, next to the Net House, are marked (1). Feature (2) is the lost buildings of Cellar Brae of which only traces remain today. Detail (3) is a short section of stone wall situated at the turn in Drummochy Road (shown in more detail further below), which presumably acted to control to flow of road users at a blind corner. 

At point (4) you can see the tracks in the sand where carts crossed the burn, alongside a couple of mooring posts. (5) is a gate - a partial barrier to slow movement towards the footbridge at (6). Detail (7) is a very productive looking garden full of a growing crop, while (8) are washing lines and posts. Note that these rear gardens, sitting at a much lower level than Woodlands Road (9) above, would have been cut short when the viaduct (10) was constructed in the 1850s. In the circa 1900 image the viaduct was less than 50 years old. Now it has been out of use for longer than that.
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It's incredible to think that these streets were once completely devoid of motor vehicles. How much quieter and slower the pace of life must have been. It's also interesting to see how patches of land once put to practical and productive use growing food or drying laundry are now used for more leisurely pursuits, such as storage of pleasure boats or benches and summer houses to sit out in. The image below shows a mid-point in that transition, where the nets are still being dried but use of outdoor spaces for relaxation has increased. The wooden footbridge has been replaced by the road bridge and the days of the railway are numbered.

Benjamin Connell Cox was born in Clifden, Galway, Ireland in 1854. The son of a surgeon, Benjamin had a twin brother named Joshua John Cox. A couple of years after the birth of the twins, the family moved to Scotland - initially settling in Edinburgh before moving to Innerleithen in the Borders. By 1871, Joshua was studying medicine, while Benjamin had become an apprentice at a woollen mill. A decade later, Benjamin was in Selkirk, employed as a commercial traveller for George Roberts and Co. of Forrest Mill. In 1888 he married Harriet Kate McDowell in Birkenhead, Cheshire and they went on to have four children: Muriel (1890), Elsie (1891), Winifred (1894) and John (1900). 

The family lived at Mauldsheugh in Selkirk and over the years, Benjamin worked his way up within Roberts and Co. to become a director of the firm. He was one of the principal shareholders when the firm became a limited company in 1892. The business went on to prosper, becoming a leader in the Scottish woollen industry by the early 1900s. In 1903, Cox retired as managing director (see Southern Reporter piece below from 5 February 1903).  
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The Cox family relocated to Fife, residing initially at St Andrews. However, by May 1904, they had secured the lease of Largo House, and of the shootings on Largo Law (see St Andrews Citizen of 28 May above). They quickly became prominent in their new community. The piece below from the 17 August 1905 Leven Advertiser describes how a group of Juvenile Templars were entertained by Mr and Mrs Cox. The family appeared to have been supporters of the temperance movement. In a 1907, when seeking a groom to work at Largo House, the advert noted that "abstainer preferred".​
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Benjamin Cox gave talks locally as well, such as the example above on the subject of pond life, illustrated with lantern slides. He had joined the Parish Council by 1908 and held a variety of roles within it over the years that followed. When Largo Miniature Rifle Club was formed on 1 December 1908, Benjamin became Honorary President. The following year, he was elected Captain of Lundin Golf Club (see 18 August Leven Advertiser below). The year 1909 was also when the Cox family collected their new Daimler car.

Cox's tenure as Captain was an eventful one at Lundin Golf Club. The Club's new 18 hole course was completed later in 1909 and on 29 November he had the honour of driving the first ball, using a ‘Dreadnought’ club donated by Sir John Gilmour. Cox presented the Club with a silver cup to mark the occasion (see 1 Dec 1909 Leven Advertiser snippet below). He also presided at opening of Lundin Ladies new course in April 1910. The photograph further below of Cox seated was taken during his spell as Golf Club Captain.

In the census of 1911, which was taken on 2 April, Mr and Mrs Cox and their two eldest children Muriel and Elsie, were away in London - residing at the recently-completed Berner's Hotel on Berners Street just off Oxford Street. Younger daughter Winifred (Freda) was at school in St Andrews, while son John was at Ardvreck boarding school in Crieff. This stay in London likely marked the period between the end of their lease of Largo House and their move to Gilston House. Shortly afterwards it was reported (in 29 April 1911 Fifeshire Advertiser item below) that the family had taken up a lease of Gilston House, between Upper Largo and Largoward.

The advert below from three years earlier in Country Life magazine, describes Gilston House in detail. At the time, the house had 14 bedrooms, 5 public rooms, extensive well-stocked gardens, stables, tennis courts and access to large shooting grounds. The Cox family remained there for around eight years before making a return to Largo House in 1919. During the First World War, Benjamin acted as Chief Special Constable for one of the Fife districts. He was also a member of the Appeal Tribunal for Fife under the Military Service Acts and of the County War Pensions Committee.
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Once the family were back at Largo House, youngest daughter Freda Cox started the 1st Largo Girl Guide Company in October 1920. She acted as the Captain of the Guides until 1924. The 1921 census, records Benjamin, Harriet and Elsie at Largo House along with seven servants (see details below). 
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As well as a stint on the Parish Council, Benjamin became a member of Fife County Council. His involvement lasted for nine years, including a spell as Convener of the County Finance Committee. However, in December 1922 he retired from those duties owing to poor health. Early in 1923, his twin brother Joshua John Cox O.B.E. died on a visit to Largo House (see below from 27 January Fifeshire Advertiser).
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Benjamin himself passed away on 17 March 1924 at Largo House aged 70 years. The 22 March 1924 Dundee Courier piece below details the "large company of mourners" that followed the hearse from the service in Largo House to the cemetery. Further below is an image of the headstone, which is shared with his wife Harriet, who lived until 1956 and to the age of 93 years.
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The photograph above, which was also published as a postcard, features a striking looking motor car waiting at the entrance of Largo House. The image also features a couple sitting on a bench and another person on the entrance stairs. However, it is the car which particularly catches the eye and back on 18 September 1974, the East Fife Mail posed the question - what was the type and date of the vintage vehicle?

​Benjamin Cox, along with his wife and four children, then ranging in age from 3 to 13, took up residence in Largo House in the summer of 1904 (see 24 June East of Fife Record piece below). The tweed and woollen manufacturer from Selkirk, had retired to St Andrews prior to taking up the tenancy of Largo House, where the family remained until 1911. Benjamin was Captain of Lundin Golf Club 1909-11. The family moved to Gilston House in 1911 before returning to Largo House in 1919, where Benjamin died in 1924. The chauffeur for the Cox family was George Bell.

A few examples of long-serving staff at Largo House during this period included:

Alexander Norval (or Norvil) - Footman from 1791 until his death in 1797. The record of his burial at Largo is shown above.

George Stein - Gardener between 1786 and 1798

Margaret (Peggy) Lawson - who progressed from Cook's Maid to Cook between 1785 and 1791

James Millar - initially described as a "chaise-driver" but later "coachman" between 1787 and 1795

Thomas Keay - Butler between 1795 and 1797
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If you had an ancestor that worked among the domestic staff at Largo House, please leave a comment.

Read more about the life of a Georgian servant here: ​www.nts.org.uk/stories/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-servant 

​Accounts dating to 1766, from Young and Trotter, the Edinburgh upholsterer and carpeting merchant, detail that Largo House was supplied with "blue and orange carpeting", as well as "window curtains of cherry" with "yellow tassels". The Drawing Room was furnished with "blue silk damask chairs". Damask is a reversible, woven fabric that features a distinct pattern created by a special weave. Named after the city of Damascus, where it was produced in the Middle Ages, damask was originally made from silk. Used for upholstery, curtains, and table linens, its pattern features a contrast between matte and shiny yarns. 

There were also references to a "bed hung with red cambrot" and an "easie chair covered with yellow silk". A "large fine staircase lantern" was also ordered for the house from Young and Trotter. The image collages above and below are designed to evoke a sense of what the interior of Largo House might have looked like during the late 18th century - incorporating some of the known objects, colours and textures.​

Another supplier of interiors to Largo House was William Hamilton, the Edinburgh upholsterer and cabinet maker. James Durham commissioned furniture from him in 1769/70 - including a large mahogany bedstead. Hamilton was a competitor to Young and Trotter, although eventually the two firms combined. While still operating under his own name, William Hamilton is known to have executed commissions for the Duke of Argyll (1758-61), Lord Milton (1764-5), Sir James Clerk (1770-2) and Balfour Ramsay (1768-9), as well as James Durham of Largo (1769-70). 

It is also well-documented that architect John Adam (brother of Robert Adam) supplied a chimney piece for Largo House. The specification on the account (which was dated May 1759), was "statuary marble" (that is marble of exceptional quality - literally meaning suitable for statues). Further details of the piece specified "ogee moulding" (a decorative trim with an S-shaped profile which features a concave curve that flows into a convex curve) and "dentils" (small, tooth-like rectangular blocks arranged in a repeating pattern). 
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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".​