After the Second World War, when mansions such as Largo House were handed back to their owners, they were often in a bad state of repair. Moreover, taxation policies after the war made large houses impractical to maintain for some owners. As all structures with roofs had to pay substantial property tax, many owners opted to have roofs removed - and this was the fate of Largo House. The Wikipedia page on Upper Largo suggests that Charles Brand (Dundee) Ltd, a demolition and housebreaking firm, were brought in to do this work. Housebreaking firms would strip out timber, slates, lead, fireplaces, panelling, doors, bannisters, tiles, etc for selling on. It was not until 1969 that the destruction of houses of architectural or historical significance was prohibited by law.
On 27 November 1951, this small and inconspicuous advert appeared in the Dundee Courier and, on 1 December, the last of the contents of Largo House were sold off at auction in Ladybank. I wonder what became of the items sold that day - are any still in use?
Many local people must have felt great sorrow at the time when Largo House fell into ruin, particularly those that had worked there, had been inside the building or simply had admired it as they went about their daily lives. Even today - over 60 years on - I know that many people still feel sadness about the fate of this estate. Over the decades, various attempts have been made to look into restoration of Largo House but none have come close to fruition. So, while the long-term future of the site is uncertain, the remaining shell of Largo House continues to deteriorate. However, as we reflect on the building's past, perhaps there is some solace in the fact that it survived more than two centuries longer than its 'twin' Shawfield Mansion.
Perhaps it's not too late to dream of restoration or even rebuilding. Recently, a private individual took on a project to rebuild a replica of Shawfield Mansion. Built to the original Georgian design, using authentic materials, the images below give an impression, if not of what a possible restored Largo House might look like in the future, then at least an idea of what it might have been like as a new build around 1750.
Perhaps it's not too late to dream of restoration or even rebuilding. Recently, a private individual took on a project to rebuild a replica of Shawfield Mansion. Built to the original Georgian design, using authentic materials, the images below give an impression, if not of what a possible restored Largo House might look like in the future, then at least an idea of what it might have been like as a new build around 1750.
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