The above image features a small fairground on Largo Pier in the 1880s, in front of the Crusoe Hotel. From left to right, this features a set of four swing-boats, some kind of booth, a light-coloured tent and a caravan. Travelling shows were popular at the time and this one was probably calling at the height of the summer season. Swing-boats were one of the earliest fairground rides and were common in the Victorian period. The 'boats' are suspended from rods connected to 'A frames' and pairs of riders pull on ropes in order to swing back and forth. Later on, steam-driven versions were introduced.
It's unclear whether the booth in the centre foreground is connected to the tent or is independent. Perhaps one or both hosted a theatrical or musical show of some sort. The caravan to the right has carved panels on the side that look like they open up. Someone is climbing up the steps into the back of the caravan and what appear to be more panels lie to the right. Could this have been a shooting gallery, coconut shy or 'knock 'em down' game?
While these small-scale shows would not have rivalled the large scale ones found at the time in Fife towns such as Cupar, Kirkcaldy or Burntisland, they would still have been well-attended and probably would have attracted other vendors and entrepreneurs such as sellers of confections and card sharps. There would have been quite a constrast between the Largo of the summer season and the Largo of the winter months. A news snippet from the Fife Herald of 30 September 1880 sums this up...
"With the departure of the swallow most of our summer visitors, and they have been many this season, have left us. There is a pleasure, a witching fascintaion in rusticating, especially to those pent up for months together in chambers, in courts and behind desks and counters in towns and cities, and a few weeks fresh air breathing in the country, how gloriously refreshing and invigorating. Largo has many fascinating spots that claim attention and admiration. Walks by the sea and shore are here full of interest, and apart from historical associations every day discloses new charms....So the holiday season has almost waned once again, and the usual monotony of Largo is gradually being once more assumed."
I imagine there were many locals, however, that were pleased to see the peace and quiet restored.
It's unclear whether the booth in the centre foreground is connected to the tent or is independent. Perhaps one or both hosted a theatrical or musical show of some sort. The caravan to the right has carved panels on the side that look like they open up. Someone is climbing up the steps into the back of the caravan and what appear to be more panels lie to the right. Could this have been a shooting gallery, coconut shy or 'knock 'em down' game?
While these small-scale shows would not have rivalled the large scale ones found at the time in Fife towns such as Cupar, Kirkcaldy or Burntisland, they would still have been well-attended and probably would have attracted other vendors and entrepreneurs such as sellers of confections and card sharps. There would have been quite a constrast between the Largo of the summer season and the Largo of the winter months. A news snippet from the Fife Herald of 30 September 1880 sums this up...
"With the departure of the swallow most of our summer visitors, and they have been many this season, have left us. There is a pleasure, a witching fascintaion in rusticating, especially to those pent up for months together in chambers, in courts and behind desks and counters in towns and cities, and a few weeks fresh air breathing in the country, how gloriously refreshing and invigorating. Largo has many fascinating spots that claim attention and admiration. Walks by the sea and shore are here full of interest, and apart from historical associations every day discloses new charms....So the holiday season has almost waned once again, and the usual monotony of Largo is gradually being once more assumed."
I imagine there were many locals, however, that were pleased to see the peace and quiet restored.
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