Within the harbour at Lower Largo, historic mooring posts can be seen alongside their modern counterparts. In the image above a gnarly old post can be seen in the left foreground that could be a couple of centuries old. The posts are marked on maps dating back to the mid-1850s and are shown in detail on the 1912 map below.

The map detail includes the words 'Post' and 'Posts' at the harbour mouth. These features mark the Lundie rocks, guiding vessels away from this hazard. There are also several annotations of 'M.P.s' (an abbreviation of mooring posts) to indicate places to tie up vessels - both within the harbour and on the pier itself. On the map the series of mooring posts continues under both the footbridge and the viaduct up to the mill. Some of these posts may be contemporary to the significant work was done on the pier in 1819.

The image above, cropped from a postcard view, clearly shows a series of four posts marking the Lundie Rocks just beyond them. The more modern sketch of Largo Harbour below is also annotated with the poles at the Lundies. 

In the circa 1900 scene above, from a George Washington Wilson photograph, a series of wooden mooring bollards can be clearly seen on the pier. Ships mooring ropes were secured to these bollards, which are positioned some distance from the face of the pier as they had to be founded in a secure part of the structure. The strains imposed on mooring bollards can be severe, particularly when the moored ship is subjected to very strong winds. These stresses are even greater in the case of sailing ships with a considerable windage. The image below shows a topsail schooner with a long mooring line attached to a bollard, likely calling at the harbour in connection with potato trading activity.

In the photograph above of David Ballingall's Forget-Me-Not (a 48.5 feet fishing boat with the registration KY 2011) entering the harbour, wooden fenders can be seen lining the face of the pier. These acted as fenders to protect the stonework and vessel’s hulls from any damage. The highest fending on the pier are what were known as “branders”. These were put in place to protect the paddle steamers from damage by the uneven stonework of the Pier. The branders were of such a height that the paddles were still protected when lying alongside at high water, spring tides.

Largo harbour's distinctive posts even appear in artworks such as the painting above by David Martin and many of the local pieces created by George Leslie Hunter, including the sketch below. No doubt these characterful features continue to inspire artists to this day.

Thomas Cairns was born in Lower Largo on 26 April 1867 to Robert Cairns, a fisherman, and his wife Ann Warrender. His father was originally from Methil and his mother from Buckhaven but in the early 1860s the family had relocated to Drummochy. Thomas was one of ten children. At the time of the 1881 census, fourteen year old Thomas was noted as a scholar, while an elder brother worked at the nearby Oil & Cake Mill and one of his sisters at the Cardy Net Works.

When Thomas left school, the expectation was that he would follow his father into fishing. This was not the occupation that Thomas wanted for himself. However, with money tight and Largo harbour on his doorstep, his first job was indeed fishing in the Forth, alongside other Largo men. Aged sixteen, Thomas took steps to find an alternative option. He, along with another local lad, walked through snow to Pathhead (part of Kirkcaldy) to look for Captain Swan, the skipper of a deep sea trading vessel. The Captain told them to come and join his ship at Dundee.

However, without the necessary funds to travel to Dundee, a disappointed Thomas had to return to the life of a fisherman - at least in the short term. Thomas resolved to save every halfpenny he could towards his eventual move out of Largo. By the age of nineteen, he had accumulated sufficient savings for a single fare to Glasgow and accommodation in a seaman's home for one week. Within days of arriving there, he had signed up on a home trade sailing ship, where earned enough money to send some back home.

With some experience behind him, Thomas eventually achieved his dream of joining a deep sea trader and for a number of years travelled to locations such as the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Baltic. In 1892, aged 25, he married Davina Gillies in Leith. Davina had grown up with Thomas in Lower Largo. She was the daughter of fisherman David Gillies and Christina Abbie, who lived at Defoe Place. In 1893, Thomas and Davina's daughter, and only child, Christina Abbie Cairns was born. Soon afterwards, Thomas gave up his sea-faring job on the Methil-Hamburg trade to be based at Methil Docks - first as berthing master, and later deputy dockmaster. In the 1901 census the family were at East High Street Methil.

Thomas carried out his duties as Bo'ness Harbourmaster for 22 and a half years, before retiring in September 1930. His retirement came about due to a new upper age limit, and his deputy of 17 years, Robert Smith, took over as dockmaster. To mark his retirement, Thomas was entertained by traders, pilots and other officials in the Douglas Hotel and was presented with a wallet of Treasury notes. During the speeches, the changes over time at the docks were highlighted. Notably, during the past year only one solitary sailing vessel had arrived in Bo'ness Dock as compared with 287 of that type in 1908.
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Thomas spent most of his retirement living at Inch Vanie, on Church Road, Leven (pictured above). In 1942, Thomas and Davina celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. Several years before this, Thomas had bought a bottle of champagne to put away for this special occasion. However, when the happy day came around, it was the middle of the Second World War, and a champagne celebration felt inappropriate. The couple decided to gift the bottle to Leven Warship Week Committee and offers were invited for the bottle, to support this cause (see 15 April 1942 Leven Mail piece below).

Thomas also made many ships in bottles and was a talented painter. While he created some landscapes, most of his artworks were of the sea or of ships. Thomas said "I have enjoyed every minute of my retirement and one of my greatest likings is to make these models. I make them just for the love of it and then I give them away". On 5 February 1952, Thomas and Davina reached their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. Local newspapers noted that the pair were in good health and had three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. However, Davina passed away on 2 August 1953 aged 83 years. Thomas died on 4 January 1955 at the age of 87. The 5 January 1955 Dundee Courier below reported his death at Bridge of Earn hospital. The piece described Thomas as "one of East Fife's best-known personalities in shipping circles". 
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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.

From the 1910s until the 1930s, the highlight of the summer season in Largo was the entertainment at the Pier Pavilion. The 1930s postcard image above shows that performances were scheduled for 3:15 and 8:15 at that particular time. The huge size of the sign advertising the show times suggests that promoters were keen that this information could be seen from up at Largo Station high above the pier, as well as from the passing buses. Perhaps the afternoon performance was more family-friendly in style, while the evening show was tailored for an older audience.
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The image below provides a glimpse of the bench seating that was available to the audience. In fact there were two categories of seating on offer, for at least some of the pavilion's history - individual deck chairs at the front for a higher price and benches behind for the everyone else. The enclosure could accommodate up to 300 persons. Of course folks could try to escape paying altogether by loitering outside the fenced area. These non-ticket holders were pursued at regular intervals by can rattling members of the company.  

In the photograph below the seating  has been removed and there's a sense that the season may be over. The structure was dismantled at the end of summer and stored over the winter months. At least three different versions of this 'alfresco entertainments stance' were used over the decades. Ahead of each season, adverts were placed in publications such as The Stage for entertainers to let the stance, which came with dressing room facilities. Everything from song and dance to ventriloquism and stand-up comedy graced the stage, along with all manner of musical instruments. 
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As the volume of motor traffic grew over time, concerns about the safety of the crowds near the road were aired. The 
25 June 1935 Leven Advertiser item below highlighted the dangers associated with the crowds leaving the pavilion at night onto the narrow harbour bridge and surrounding streets. The suggestion of widening the road never came to pass and the pier pavilion itself became a casualty of changing times and tastes.
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As a footnote, spot the detail in the image below, including the bus stop sign hanging from the lamp post on the left hand side and the other bus stop sign at the start of the road bridge. On the Crusoe Hotel wall there is both a noticeboard and a taller board incorporating a clock, as well as the classic image of Robinson Crusoe on the hotel sign. Finally there is an old street lamp holder to the right of the hotel wall.
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The above photograph features the Robinson Crusoe statue on Lower Largo's Main Street, on the day of its unveiling. The evergreen branches around the edges of the image are some of the many decorations around the village on that momentous day - 11 December 1885. The base of the statue (see detail below) is inscribed with the words T Stuart Burnett A.R.S.A. Sc. 1885 to indicate that the sculptor was Thomas Stuart Burnett, an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy, and that the piece was sculpted in 1885. Burnett was present on the day of the unveiling, along with his wife.

The day after the 1885 statue unveiling the Fife Free Press reported that...

"There has now been completed by Mr T. Stuart Burnett, A.R.S.A., a life-size statue, in bronze, of Robinson Crusoe. It is placed in a niche in the wall in front of the cottage where he is said to have been born, and stands about six feet high. It is spiritedly designed and perfectly executed, and it certainly tells its own story. There is no dubiety as to who the figure is intended to represent. To all who have read the romance of his first voyage, it looks like an old friend. Crusoe is clad in his rough coat of goat's skins, with torn and tattered breeches of the same material. His muscular legs are bare from knees down. His feet are enclosed in skin strapped down. His left hand is slightly pressed on an old rifle, while his right shades his eyes, which are looking expectantly to sea as if to snatch the glimpse of a passing sail. An old Scottish claymore hangs by the left side, while an old war axe hangs from his right side. The cap is also of skin. Altogether the figure is a satisfactory model, and a true representation of Robinson Crusoe". 

William Walkington's blog biography celebrates the productive life Thomas Stuart Burnett, cut short by his untimely death at the age of 34 years in 1888. Largo is fortunate to be graced by an fine example of Burnett's work, which continues to gaze down from the same location of its unveiling some 140 years ago.
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Catherine Selkirk was born in Largo on 29 January 1779 and was baptised two days later in the presence of the congregation of Largo Kirk, as the record below tells us. Her parents were "John Selkirk weaver in Nether Largo and Margaret Martin his spouse". Nether Largo was the name used then for Lower Largo. The above photograph appeared in the book 'Seatoun of Largo' by Ivy Jardine (1982). John Selkirk (Catherine's father) was the son of Alexander Selkirk, who in turn was the son of David Selkirk (or Selcraig), the eldest brother of the famous Alexander Selkirk. This made Catherine 'Robinson Crusoe's' great-grand-niece.
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When Catherine was eight years old her mother Margaret died. The record below shows that she died on 14 December 1787 and was buried on 17 December. Just over a year later, her father John remarried, to Isabel Peattie or Pattie.

So what was life like in Largo around that time?

The Old Statistical Account of 1792, written by the Reverend Mr Spence Oliphant of Largo Kirk, provides some insight to daily life. In terms of health and wellbeing, the account tells of how "coughs are very general, rheumatism and other inflammatory complaints are not infrequent. Epidemic disorders sometimes appear..." often affecting those on "a low and spare diet". The typical diet of the population was described as "meagre broth, potatoes, cheese, butter in small quantities, and a preparation of meal in different forms, make up their constant fare". Meat was generally reserved for "a birth or marriage, or some other festival".
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At the time fish were "scarce" and "at present there is not a fisherman in Largo, and only 1 in Drummochy, who fishes in the summer and catches rabbits in the winter". The pier at Largo was in existence at the time "where vessels of 200 ton may receive or discharge their cargoes". In the Parish there were 3 corn mills, 2 barley mills, 3 lint mills and 2 salt pans. The main industry of the Parish was weaving, of mostly "linens and checks", with every weaver having access to a bleaching ground. The flax was mostly imported but was dressed and spun in the village. The image below provides some impression of how the buildings along the shore at Lower Largo looked at this time, although this particular artwork dates to a several decades later.

The Old Statistical Account also refers specifically to Alexander Selkirk and noted that "the chest and musket which Selkirk had with him on the island, are now in the possession of his grand-nephew, John Selkirk, weaver in Largo", referring to the father of Catherine. Upon the death of John Selkirk, Catherine became the keeper of the relics. These well-travelled artefacts had been left behind by Alexander around 1717 when he departed the village suddenly with Sophia Bruce.

Catherine Selkirk married fisherman/ linen weaver David Gillies in 1799. Some sources state that the couple had thirteen children but it is difficult to be certain as records are incomplete. In the census of 1841 (see extract above) David, Catherine, David junior (a fisherman) and Janet are listed in the household, as well as Catherine's sister Margaret Selkrig, aged 50. David Gillies died in 1846, leaving Catherine a widow. In the 1851 census (below) Catherine was recorded, aged 72, along with the only other member of the household - a 10-year-old grandchild, Christian Gillies. 
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Catherine lived to see the arrival of the railway in Largo in 1857, which must have been momentous for the community. At the time of the 1861 census she was living alone, and she died the following year, on 1 February 1862, just days after her 83rd birthday. Her obituary in the local press spoke of a "pleasant spoken" woman, who had experienced a life of labour and of "toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing". Having lost her mother as a child and predeceased by several children - sorrow was a theme throughout her life, yet this was coupled with a lifelong association with her famous relative and the home in which she lived was surrounded by public interest. 

Among the children who outlived her were:

Margaret Allan nee Gillies (married shoemaker David Allan); born c 1801, died 1876 aged 75
Samuel Gillies (fisherman); born c 1808, died in 1892 aged 84 at Bower House, Lower Largo
Christina Deas nee Gillies (married fisherman John Deas); born c1813,  died 1894 aged 81
James Gillies (fisherman/whaler); born 1816, died 1902 aged 87
Alexander Gillies (fisherman); born c1823, died 1898 aged 76

On her death record below her mother was incorrectly noted as Isabella Peattie, who was actually her step-mother. Her son Samuel registered her death and must have been illiterate as he signed with a cross as 'his mark'. Catherine was buried at the new cemetery very recently opened in the Parish. Soon after her death, the old cottage and birthplace of Alexander Selkirk (1676-1721) was demolished and the current Crusoe Buildings built upon the site. The relics so long cared for by Catherine were sold - finally separated from the birthplace of their former owner.
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Pictured above is a carte de visite by John Patrick of Leven, featuring a model of the house in which Alexander Selkirk lived in Lower Largo. The name 'Patrick' and the place 'Leven' can be seen in tiny writing on the left of the card and on the reverse is the photography studio's logo of the time (see below). This photograph of the model house can be dated to circa 1865. 
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The actual house was likely not quite as neat and straight-edged as the model suggests. The engraving below by William Ballingall from his 1872 book 'Shores of Fife' shows the same number of windows and doors but a more uneven rooftop and gables. The engraving also shows some additional detail in terms of the adjoining structures, which provide more context. Note the crow-stepped gables - some examples of which can still be seen on Main Street today.

Adjoining Crusoe Buildings were additional new dwellings, including 'Twin House', shown below, which was made for inseparable twin brothers William and Robert Gillies, owners of the fishing boat Ocean Bride. Several properties were built in total in a distinctive terrace - now 99 - 113 Main Street.
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The model of the old cottage survived for many decades, receiving some repairs and repainting along the way. It looked slightly different by the early 1980s and appeared as below in the book 'Seatoun of Largo'. If you know what became of the scale model of the Selkirk family home - please leave a comment.
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Back in 1962 the inaugural 'Best Kept Village' competition was held across St Andrews District. Organised by the St Andrews District Council, the contest followed in the footsteps of Cupar District, where a successful event had been held the previous year (won by Strathmiglo).  Both districts were gifted trophies by J. & G. Innes Limited, proprietors of the Fife News and the St Andrews Citizen. By winning, Upper Largo became the first winners of the 'Citizen' trophy, represented in the sketch above. The nineteen competing villages had been visited on 25 June by the judges, who included the curator of St Andrews Botanical Gardens. 

Points were awarded for the appearance and condition of lands and buildings of a public nature, such as playing fields, open spaces, the village hall and surroundings, church and churchyard, bus shelter, war memorial and school. The cleanliness of verges, ponds and streams and the condition of hedges, fences and walls, the tidiness of flower and vegetable gardens, and the general appearance of the village were all taken into account. The suitability and orderliness of advertisements and notices, and the absence of litter and unsightly rubbish dumps also factored.

The following year, 1963, Strathkinness triumphed in the contest, which must have spurred on the community in Upper Largo, who won the trophy back in 1964 and again in 1965. When Upper Largo retained the title in 1965, they received 82 points from the judges, just pipping runners up Boarhills who scored 81. The photograph below appeared in the 5 August Leven Mail, showing the plaque mounted on an 8-foot pedestal. This was positioned prominently on the grassy area at the junction of Main Street and St Andrews Road, seen below, with Largo Law in the background. 

Councillor John Adamson (retired teacher and former headmaster of Lundin Mill Primary School) accepted the award and said how proud he was to see the village win again. He praised the hard work of the villagers, as well as their spirit of co-operation and civic pride. Some of the others featured in the photograph are detailed below.
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In fact, Upper Largo would go on to win the Best Kept Village title several more times over the years. The winners of subsequent years are listed below:

1966 - Upper Largo
1967 - Kingsbarns 
1968 - Kingsbarns
1969 - Upper Largo
1970 - Kingsbarns
1971 - Lower Largo
1972 - Kingsbarns
1973 - Upper Largo
1974 - Upper Largo

Note that Lower Largo also got in on the act - entering for the first time in 1967 and winning the crown in 1971 (beating Upper Largo into third place). Judges praised the new colour scheme of the Crusoe Hotel (shown below), the tidiness of the car parks at the Temple and the former railway station, as well as the well-kept gardens of the housing estates. They were less impressed with the general lack of litter bins around the village. The trophy on its tall pedestal was put up at Cellar Braes for the year. The 28 August 1971 St Andrews Citizen below provided the full report. John Adamson and Joseph Grassick were both present (as they had been in Upper Largo a few years before). As the list of winners above shows, however, before long the trophy was back in Upper Largo!
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The former St David's Church had two different bells during its existence - the one which can still be seen today at the rear of the roof (pictured above) and the original bell which hung in a tall stone bellcote above the front entrance. The original bell was presented by the family of Alexander Hogg  a former Largo blacksmith who had died in 1870, the year before the church building was erected. The original bell and bellcote can be seen in the images below.
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After many decades of service, not to mention exposure to the coastal elements, the bellcote and its rope-operated bell were in need of repair. By the early 1960s, the tall stone bellcote was considered dangerous and so a project was begun to make it safe. The bellcote was taken down and the stone work at the rear of the roof was also reduced in height. The bell was recast, relocated to the rear of the roof and was converted to electric power. 

Mr Ewan Bryden co-ordinated the project and also designed the cross-topped metal structure which would house the new bell. The bell was recast at John Taylor and Company, Bellfounders and Bellhangers. The name 'Taylor' can be seen on the bell in the images further below. Founded in 1859, Taylor have cast more than 25,000 bells which hang in over 100 countries around the world. You can read more about that here and watch a video about the bell founding process here and in the other videos on the firm's YouTube channel.

Funds for the works came from a memorial fund in the name of Miss Nicoll, supplemented by fundraising activities organised by the congregation. As the 4 November 1964 piece above from the Leven Mail explains, there was a show held in the Durham Hall, where the Sunday School, Bible Class, Kirk Session, Woman's Guild, Life Boys and Youth Club presented a programme of entertainment. This included a song written by Mr McGregor, sung to the tune of "The Bells of St Mary's" called "The Bell of St David's".
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On the first Sunday of 1965, a service was held at which the bell was rededicated (see 6 January Leven Mail piece above). The new gates and railings were also dedicated at the same time. A plaque was placed in the church vestibule to mark the occasion and to ensure that the memory of Miss M.M. Nicoll, late Kirk Treasurer was remembered.
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Margaret MacDougall Nicoll (1882-1962), was a daughter of Kirkton of Largo Schoolmaster Thomas Nicoll. She became a school teacher herself and had died on 10 June 1962, at which time she was Honorary President of Largo St David's Women's Guild. Margaret was the second eldest of five children - William (1880), Margaret (1882), Robert (1886), Mary (1888) and Annie (1892). She attended Kirkton of Largo Primary School (where her father was master for 35 years) then Waid Academy in Anstruther, before going to St Andrews University where she gained an M.A.. In May 1900 she was appointed temporary mistress at Kirkton, assisting her father and beginning her career in teaching. More on the life of Miss Nicoll will follow in a future post.

The former Largo St David's Church building has now embarked upon a new chapter - read more here.

The previous post covered the life of Robert Black - a native of Woodside who became Chair of Largo Parish Council and Inspector of the Poor for the Parish. Indeed it was Robert Black who, towards the end of his life, cut "the barricade of red, white and blue ribbon" with "a pair of silver scissors" to allow the first cars to pass over the new bridge linking Drummochy to Lower Largo on Saturday 3 October 1914. Many years in contemplation, the long-desired bridge was composed of steel girders and troughing and parapet railing, with concrete wing walls. It came at a cost of £1,455, 8s and 5d.

The commemorative photograph above was captured by keen amateur photographer, Robert Paxton of Homelands. It shows the first of the three cars that crossed the new bridge as part of the opening ceremony. This car, registration SP 708, bedecked in flowers, belonged to Lower Largo's Walter Horne. Another of the cars belonged to Upper Largo's Thomas Wishart. The cars carried members of the Largo Parish Council, the engineers and the bridge contractors. A profusion of flags and bunting surrounded around the bridge. The buildings in the background from left to right are The Railway Inn (light-coloured gable end), Alexandra House (centre), Beach House (3-storey terrace with dormer windows and many chimneys) and the Crusoe Hotel (extreme right). Robert Black and his wife Eliza could well be among the crowd. Are you able to identify any of the faces shown below? 
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​Having been presented with a pair of silver scissors by Walter Horne, Robert Black declared the bridge open "in the name of the Parish Council" and expressed "the hope that it would fulfil all their expectations and be of advantage to all and disadvantage to none". As the ribbon was cut, there was "a great scramble on the part of the spectators to secure a piece as a remembrance of the occasion". The 8 October Leven Advertiser ran a lengthy article describing the occasion. A large crowd raised loud cheers "as the first gaily decorated motor car sped across the bridge". 

After the official party crossed the bridge in the cars, they, and a few select others, made their way to the recently completed Victoria Hotel for a "daintily cooked and perfectly served dinner" supplied by Miss Brown. Toasts were made, including one to Messrs Bruce and Proudfoot of Cupar and Kirkcaldy, the civil engineers. The building contractor for the bridge project had been Mr Henderson of Markinch. The Motherwell Bridge Company was also acknowledged, having supplied specialist materials. The engineers and contractors presented Robert Black with a silver tray and Walter Horne with a silver cigar case, in recognition of their co-operation as members of the Parish Council. After completion of the toasts, speeches, and presentations the national anthem was sung.

The pair of maps below compares the harbour area before and after the building of the road bridge. Close inspection shows that the corners of a couple of gardens had to be clipped to enable smooth entrance to and exit from the bridge for vehicles. One of those who gave up a portion of their garden was Dr Selkirk, owner of Alexandra House (which had a large rectangular front garden in the older map). 
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