Welcome to Largs

Largs is located on the west coast of Scotland on the Firth of Clyde, in the county of Ayrshire, approximately 415 miles north-west of London and 25 miles west of Glasgow.

The town has a population of around 11,000. Administratively it is within the unitary council region of North Ayrshire which covers an area of approximately 885 sq kms.

Surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery and sheltered by high hills, it is a popular resort and yachting centre with a long esplanade and pebbly beach. Renowned for the Battle of Largs in 1263, when Alexander III defeated the invading Norse fleet, it has a long heritage and retains some notable historic buildings. There are excellent visitor and leisure facilities and it is a good base from which to explore the surrounding area. Its proximity to Glasgow makes it an attractive residential base for commuters working in the city.

The town is the site of a Neolithic tomb dating back to between 3000 and 2000BC. In 1263,  the Battle of Largs took place here, when a Scottish army attacked the armies of King Magnus III and King Haakonson of Norway. With the death of King Haakonson a short time later, the Treaty of Perth in 1266 ended the conflict between Norway and Scotland over the sovreignty over the Hebrides and Isle of Man. The town began as a small village around the kirk, evolving into a popular seaside resort during the 19th century. The pier was built in 1894 and, with the arrival of the railway in 1895, the town became a fashionable place to live, with many large hotels and mansions being built. Today a ferry service runs from the town to Great Cumbrae and the paddle steamer 'Waverley' calls in at the pier during cruises.

Economically, tourism, sailing, watersports, fishing and farming are the main industries, with IBM and Hunterston also based here. Many residents commute to work in Glasgow and beyond.

The name Largs derives form the Gaelic 'learg' meaning 'grassy slope'.