This 1890 image of Largo House by a photographer named Cowie was reproduced in the East Fife Mail in the 1970s so that people who had visited the ruins could see the country mansion "in all its splendour". It certainly would have been splendid during the late 19th century and indeed was a regular destination for excursions. The newspaper archives document a range of groups and societies that chose to visit the grounds for a grand day out, sometimes combining it with a walk in Keil's Den or up Largo Law. One such visit was described in the Fife Herald of 1 July 1869, when around 200 of the Anstruther Baptist Church Sabbath School took the train to Largo, where...
"The grounds of Largo House were thrown open with the utmost cordiality by Sheriff and Mrs McKenzie....Mr Fyfe, the head gardener, courteously acted as guide. The chaste and beautiful manner in which the gardens are laid out, and the flourishing condition of the plants, flowers, etc excited universal admiration."
After a walk in Keil's Den, followed by games and sports, the children "were conducted to the front of Largo House, and sung a selection of appropriate pieces". As well as a venue for excursions, Largo House gardens became the site of the Largo and Newburn Horticultural Society's Annual Show from 1874 (taking over from Keil's Den as the venue). In 1895, the Courier of 16 August said that "...a large number of visitors passed through the Eagle Gates....The marquee was replete with a rare collection of fruit, flowers, vegetables, etc."
"The grounds of Largo House were thrown open with the utmost cordiality by Sheriff and Mrs McKenzie....Mr Fyfe, the head gardener, courteously acted as guide. The chaste and beautiful manner in which the gardens are laid out, and the flourishing condition of the plants, flowers, etc excited universal admiration."
After a walk in Keil's Den, followed by games and sports, the children "were conducted to the front of Largo House, and sung a selection of appropriate pieces". As well as a venue for excursions, Largo House gardens became the site of the Largo and Newburn Horticultural Society's Annual Show from 1874 (taking over from Keil's Den as the venue). In 1895, the Courier of 16 August said that "...a large number of visitors passed through the Eagle Gates....The marquee was replete with a rare collection of fruit, flowers, vegetables, etc."
In winter, the Largo Curling Club would often play at Largo House's Curling Pond. One meeting was described in the Fife Herald of 16 December 1885...
"The ice was in very fine condition though a little biased on both rinks. Twenty members of the club entered with great spirit and in great form into the competition. General Briggs' kettle was tied for at nine points between John Wallace and James Forgan; and after four rounds at "outwicking", John Wallace became the winner. Then Mr Baxter's jog was tied for at seven points between John Wallace and Alexander McGregor, and after several rounds at "outwicking" Alexander McGregor became the winner. Mr Wood's medal was won by John Wallace by nine points."
Largo House passed out of Durham family ownership in December 1867, when William Johnston of Lathrisk purchased it for £130,000. Mr Johnston died only eight months later, at the age of 90, leaving his many properties to his only son, George Johnstone. George owned Largo House (along with a host of other estates) until his death at Lathrisk House, Freuchie, on 29 December 1900 at the age of 78. The death of the unmarried George, believed to be the wealthiest man in Fife at the time, sparked a spate of newspaper articles about the fate of the 'Lathrisk Millions' and the bogus claims made on it. The estates ultimately went to a Lieutenant Charles Makgill Maitland Crichton, ushering in a new era for Largo House.
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