The Simpson Institute on Upper Largo's Main Street was built in 1891 in memory of George Simpson. The announcement was made in the Fife Herald of 24 October 1888 that...
"Great satisfaction has been caused throughout the parish by the announcement that under the trust settlement of the late Mrs Janet Simpson or Galloway, Edinburgh, the handsome sum of £4000 has been bequeathed for the purpose of building an Institute in Upper Largo in memory of her late father, Mr George Simpson, who resided and carried on business as tailor and clothier here. The UP Church receives a further sum of £200".
Mrs Galloway also left bequests to a wide range of hospitals, societies and other institutions, primarily in Edinburgh. The objective of The Simpson Institute was to be "the social and intellectual recreation and improvement of the town and neighbourhood." A competition was held for the design of the proposed institute, which was won by the Edinburgh architect Charles Edward Tweedie. The building would provide a reading-room and recreation hall and would eventually also have tennis courts and a bowling green within its grounds. The Dundee Evening Telegraph provided sketches of the exterior and interior as well as the following description:
"The building is in the old Scotch style of architecture, having crow-stepped gables, and is surmounted on the main roof by a small turret, which is used for ventilation. It contains a large hall, capable of accommodating 300 persons and there is also a library which will hold about 2000 volumes, which can be enlarged if required. Retiring rooms, lavatories, &c, are provided. The entrance hall has a ribbed plaster ceiling, with tiled dado and floor. The stone used in the construction of the building is from Burntisland quarries, and the roof is covered with green slates from Coniston. The red ridges give the Institute a simple but picturesque appearance. The building will be lighted by oil lamp pendants."
"Great satisfaction has been caused throughout the parish by the announcement that under the trust settlement of the late Mrs Janet Simpson or Galloway, Edinburgh, the handsome sum of £4000 has been bequeathed for the purpose of building an Institute in Upper Largo in memory of her late father, Mr George Simpson, who resided and carried on business as tailor and clothier here. The UP Church receives a further sum of £200".
Mrs Galloway also left bequests to a wide range of hospitals, societies and other institutions, primarily in Edinburgh. The objective of The Simpson Institute was to be "the social and intellectual recreation and improvement of the town and neighbourhood." A competition was held for the design of the proposed institute, which was won by the Edinburgh architect Charles Edward Tweedie. The building would provide a reading-room and recreation hall and would eventually also have tennis courts and a bowling green within its grounds. The Dundee Evening Telegraph provided sketches of the exterior and interior as well as the following description:
"The building is in the old Scotch style of architecture, having crow-stepped gables, and is surmounted on the main roof by a small turret, which is used for ventilation. It contains a large hall, capable of accommodating 300 persons and there is also a library which will hold about 2000 volumes, which can be enlarged if required. Retiring rooms, lavatories, &c, are provided. The entrance hall has a ribbed plaster ceiling, with tiled dado and floor. The stone used in the construction of the building is from Burntisland quarries, and the roof is covered with green slates from Coniston. The red ridges give the Institute a simple but picturesque appearance. The building will be lighted by oil lamp pendants."
The official opening ceremony took place on 8th May 1891 and the village was both festooned with decorations and bustling with people. Just before two o'clock a procession was formed, accompanied by the Largoward Brass Band and the Colinsburgh Company of Volunteers, and was marched to the building. There was loud cheering as Sheriff MacKay applied the key to the front door (Courier, 9 May). Following the opening ceremony and speeches there was a luncheon in the village's Commercial Hotel and later a well-attended soiree and dance.
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