In the second quarter of the 19th century, George Duff would have been a prominent figure in Largo. He had been born in Ceres in 1801 but moved to Largo from the St Andrews area around 1824. It's no coincidence that this was the same year as the completion of the Largo Granary, as George would take on the inn within the building - known as the Harbour Inn or Duff's Inn. He seemed to do well as innkeeper - one report of a dinner held there stated that "the very prompt and handsome manner in which the dinner was served up reflected great credit on Mr Duff".
Within a few years, inn-keeping would not be the only string to George Duff's bow. In 1830, he began operating 'omnibus' services and acting as an agent for steamer services calling at Largo. His omnibuses transported people on various routes to and from Largo over the years - including Cupar, Anstruther, St Andrews, Newport and Dundee - often connecting with steamboat services and linking up with other Inns. Before the railway, these stagecoaches would have been the best way to travel over land for visitors, although not particularly pleasant. Coaches would have been slow, uncomfortable and dangerous (accidents were common). Coaching was a high cost, high risk business from which George Duff would probably not made much profit. Most coach proprietors were innkeepers looking to boost their business. They would also be encouraged by local businessmen who were looking to create links with other places and no doubt the members of the Largo Granary Company supported George Duff in his enterprise.
Within a few years, inn-keeping would not be the only string to George Duff's bow. In 1830, he began operating 'omnibus' services and acting as an agent for steamer services calling at Largo. His omnibuses transported people on various routes to and from Largo over the years - including Cupar, Anstruther, St Andrews, Newport and Dundee - often connecting with steamboat services and linking up with other Inns. Before the railway, these stagecoaches would have been the best way to travel over land for visitors, although not particularly pleasant. Coaches would have been slow, uncomfortable and dangerous (accidents were common). Coaching was a high cost, high risk business from which George Duff would probably not made much profit. Most coach proprietors were innkeepers looking to boost their business. They would also be encouraged by local businessmen who were looking to create links with other places and no doubt the members of the Largo Granary Company supported George Duff in his enterprise.
In July 1845 a customer calling himself "A Stranger in Lower Largo" wrote to the editor of the Fife Herald on the topic of the condition of the local roads:
"After you pass by Ceres towards Largo, there are but very short pieces of it good, although not so dangerous, until you come to that infamous part of it in Keil's Den, where it is a shame to be seen....whenever you come to ascend the very steepest and winding part of it - where either horse or harness, or the drag of a heavy coach, are most apt to give way - where would the lives of the people be? They would be pitched over the den, and dashed to pieces, conveyance and all, as there is at this place no embankment at all: nothing but an old paling to hold them again, which has stood there until time has rotted it so completely."
The letter goes on to give various scenarios of accidents and the likely damages which the road trustees could incur, and appeals for either a better line of road to be found or for sufficient protection to be put up immediately. While the writer points the finger at the road trustees, he praises George Duff as the "respected and enterprising coach-proprietor" who "fifteen years ago, first gave us cheap travelling upon this road" (ie Cupar-Largo and vice-versa at a fare of 1s). He also notes the "superiority of his cattle" and "his very excellent inn at Largo Pier".
The following year, however, everything would change. George Duff fell ill and the Harbour Inn was advertised for let in April 1846 (see below from the Fife Herald) and in the August of that year George died from consumption (tuberculosis) and was buried in his native Ceres. However, that was not the end of the story for the enterprising Duff family, for George left a wife and eight children and a new venture would begin for them in Kirkton of Largo.
"After you pass by Ceres towards Largo, there are but very short pieces of it good, although not so dangerous, until you come to that infamous part of it in Keil's Den, where it is a shame to be seen....whenever you come to ascend the very steepest and winding part of it - where either horse or harness, or the drag of a heavy coach, are most apt to give way - where would the lives of the people be? They would be pitched over the den, and dashed to pieces, conveyance and all, as there is at this place no embankment at all: nothing but an old paling to hold them again, which has stood there until time has rotted it so completely."
The letter goes on to give various scenarios of accidents and the likely damages which the road trustees could incur, and appeals for either a better line of road to be found or for sufficient protection to be put up immediately. While the writer points the finger at the road trustees, he praises George Duff as the "respected and enterprising coach-proprietor" who "fifteen years ago, first gave us cheap travelling upon this road" (ie Cupar-Largo and vice-versa at a fare of 1s). He also notes the "superiority of his cattle" and "his very excellent inn at Largo Pier".
The following year, however, everything would change. George Duff fell ill and the Harbour Inn was advertised for let in April 1846 (see below from the Fife Herald) and in the August of that year George died from consumption (tuberculosis) and was buried in his native Ceres. However, that was not the end of the story for the enterprising Duff family, for George left a wife and eight children and a new venture would begin for them in Kirkton of Largo.
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