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Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The charming Scottish seaside resort that survived against all odds
Gone are the days when half of Glasgow thrashed 'doon the water' on holidays to the Firth of Clyde resorts. The advent of cheap jet travel has spirited Glaswegians off to the Spanish Costas, sounding the Clyde's death knell. Ayr no more. Ardrossan no more. One resort town, though, survived the onslaught. Largs is the beguiling Clydeside resort they forgot to close down. Behind the town's evergreen tourist appeal are an embarrassment of natural charms. The emerald cloak of the surprisingly wild (and wildly beautiful) Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park provides a rugged natural amphitheatre, with Knock Hill a brilliantly rewarding yomp. The famed beachfront promenade unfurls over two miles, with Great Cumbrae sparkling just across the water. The isles of Bute and Arran glower beyond, competing with the hills of Argyll for cinematic attention. 'Largs is lovely and it just oozes nostalgia,' beams Janet Martin of Tasting History Scotland Tours, who hasn't looked back since moving up from Kent 40 years ago. There is only one place for us to meet – Nardini's, a graceful old Art Deco ice-cream parlour and café that ushers us gently into a different time. It's a warmer, more innocent world, the 1930s when the 'war to end all wars' had supposedly brought enduring peace to a war-ravaged Britain. 'That was a different Britain back then and visitors today enjoy tapping into the comfort of that age and its heritage,' muses Janet. If the name Nardini sounds familiar it's because – outside of Scotland's west coast – it's more synonymous with the actress Daniela Nardini, who scooped ice creams for customers as a child long before winning awards for her role as Anna Forbes in the BBC Two series This Life. Her Scottish family of Italian heritage are part of Largs' solid Ayrshire sandstone backbone. Their Art Deco creation has stood proudly since 1935, even surviving the dark days of the Second World War, when all able-bodied Italian men of fighting age were incarcerated on the Isle of Wight, despite one of the Nardini family fighting for the Allies in the Great War. In its heyday, a six-man orchestra struck up and a crooner sashayed around charming customers. The stage still stands. Though there is no live music today I savour delicious nostalgia with traditional haddock and chips and a strawberry milkshake topped up with double cream. Long gone, of course, are the halcyon days when dozens of paddle steamers swished into Largs daily, disgorging delighted holidaymakers for meanders along the town's palm-fringed waterfront. The palms still sway, but only one paddle steamer – the heritage vessel PS Waverley – still calls in summer. You can catch one of the modern ferries that ease across to the island of Great Cumbrae, home to a cracking gin distillery, the trim village of Millport and the only cathedral in the Hebrides. That ferry link and the hourly train service are the oxygen that Largs needs to continue winning its battle for survival. The railway arrived in 1885. More hotels, guesthouses and cafes followed suit, along with Barrfields Theatre. Remarkably it's still open today and has had a swimming pool and history museum (Vikingar!) wrapped around it. The roster of past performers is as impressive as it is eclectic, with everyone from Billy Connolly and Gregor Fisher (Rab C. Nesbitt), through to Ronnie Corbett. During Largs' golden age most people came for a day trip or just a night, a trend that continues today, but historically some more unwelcome visitors lingered longer in the Firth of Clyde. Much longer. The Vikings first descended on the Scottish isles with the shock sacking of the religious community of Iona in 795 AD. They ravaged, settled and then ravaged again, seizing control of almost all of Scotland's islands, as far south as the Isle of Man, a Scottish possession at the time. At Vikingar!, local schoolkids learn that Largs had Thor long before Marvel, as they're stirred by proud tales of how the mighty Norse eventually met their match in the Battle of Largs in 1293. The museum's Joe Thompson tells me, 'Largs was pivotal as it's when we finally sent the Vikings home to think again. Without Largs, Scotland today might have been very different.' Largs really does spread its wings far and wide. A plaque marks the sight of the hotel where Churchill and Eisenhower cemented Normandy as the site of D-Day landings. William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, inventor of the Kelvin Scale, loved Largs so much he built a mansion here and Largs luminary Sir Thomas Brisbane made such an impact as governor of New South Wales they named Queensland's capital after him. Largs has also had a seismic impact on football. The roll-call of managers who have honed their skills or taught at the legendary Inverclyde National Sports Centre, overlooking the town, includes Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson, Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni. Footballers may hate sitting on the bench, but people in Largs love them. The resort must have more benches – and more shades of them – per capita than anywhere in Britain. They're well-used: a couple share their love of Nardini's ice cream with their daughter, while a brace of fish-supper quaffing bikers fend off the gulls and two mature gents bemoan another defeat for Scotland at Hampden Park. My head swims in thoughts of the famous Largs alumni; my heart sways at the Arran Hills poking through the cloud that hangs low over the isles. I make a last stop on the waterfront at a pub called The Paddle Steamer. As the slick modern hybrid CalMac ferry glides in I raise a toast to Largs, the Clyde resort that survived against the odds.
Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Zara Gladman: ‘My coffin will be sent off the nearest waterfall'
Zara Gladman is a Glaswegian comedian best known for her online sketches about a West End mum. She was recently shortlisted for the Billy Connolly Spirit of Scotland award and has a new sketch show coming to BBC Scotland. Eating mince and tatties from a cup on Largs beach during a nursery trip. My dad's family are from Elgin, so we'd drive up there a lot and visit beaches like Lossiemouth and Hopeman. The first time I went, aged seven months, my mum had refused to travel any sooner because of the risky weather. During that trip, we were caught in a blizzard, the windscreen wipers snapped off and the AA had to weld one back on so we could finish the journey. Our
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Pride as Johnstone Burgh reach Junior Cup Final for first time in 25 years
The Renfrewshire outfit overturned a one-goal deficit to see off Largs Thistle at Barrfields on Sunday. LARGS THISTLE...0 JOHNSTONE BURGH...2 (Johnstone Burgh won 2-1 on aggregate) Murdo MacKinnon was bursting with pride as Johnstone Burgh reached their first Junior Cup final in 25 years. Two well-taken goals by Ciaran Diver and Aaron Mason saw the Renfrewshire side triumph over West of Scotland League Premier Division rivals Largs Thistle at sun-drenched Barrfields on Sunday. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Burgh produced a textbook away-day performance to sink the Seasiders and book a showdown with Lowland League Tranent. The sides will fight it out for the coveted piece of silverware at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, on Sunday, June 1. Burgh got their hands on the trophy the last time they made it to the final in 2000 – beating Whitburn on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Partick Thistle's Firhill. Now the class of 2024-25 have a huge opportunity to write their names into club folklore and MacKinnon insists they deserve their big moment. The Keanie Park gaffer said: 'I thought my players were magnificent, to a man, with the effort and work they put in. You saw at the end – players had cramp, injuries – but refused to come off the park. You can see how much it meant to them. 'Largs is a tough place to come and credit to them. Not many teams come here and win by two clear goals but my boys have turned up and done it. I can't tell you how proud I am of them. 'For the first goal, Ciaran's gone by two centre-halves as if they weren't there and he's got that in his locker and it was a great finish from Aaron which was a tremendous way to win the game.' In front of a big crowd, Burgh took the lead in the 15th minute when Diver raced clear and slid the ball under the keeper and into the net. Chances were few and far between and it took until after the restart before the next clear opportunity when Burgh keeper Luke Scullion blocked Will Sewell's deflected strike. In the 72nd minute, Largs went close when Blair Devine's cross found Travis Stracey who nodded just wide. With the tie evenly poised at 1-1, Burgh made what proved to be the decisive breakthrough six minutes later when Mason produced a stylish finish into the bottom corner of the net. Largs refused to surrender and, in the 83rd minute, Devine headed against the bar from a free-kick with David McGrath's follow-up held by Scullion. In the third minute of time added on, the Seasiders had one final crack at goal but Sewell's effort from a narrowing angle flew over the bar. Scenes of celebration among the Burgh contingent greeted the final whistle – this long campaign lives on and all roads now lead to North Lanarkshire.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Woman, 78, critical in hospital after serious crash in Largs
A 78-year-old woman is in a critical condition in hospital after a car crash in were called to the incident involving a Ford Fiesta and a Jaguar XF on Douglas Street in Largs at about 15:15 on woman, who was driving the Fiesta, was taken by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital near 35-year-old man driving the Jaguar and his 13-year-old passenger did not require medical treatment. Police Scotland Sgt Gordon Stewart said: "Our inquiries are continuing into this crash and I would urge any witnesses or anyone with information to contact us."
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Chaos erupts at Johnstone Burgh game as young supporters kick-off with club claiming fans 'provoked'
The West of Scotland League club say they will investigate the matter but added "it is crucial that people understand this was a situation where adult males aggressively provoked a group of teenagers". Shocking scenes of crowd trouble marred Johnstone Burgh's crunch Junior Cup semi-final against Largs Thistle on Saturday. Bottles and other objects appeared to be thrown as a large group of mainly young supporters clashed with opposition fans and stewards following a late Largs goal. In astonishing scenes, several Burgh players vaulted the perimeter fence to enter the crowd and try to calm their brawling fans. In footage circulating widely online, stewards were also seen to grapple with some crowd members. One supporter at the match, commentating as he filmed footage of the scenes, was heard to say: 'It's absolutely unbelievable. They're chucking things now. This is ridiculous. It's not going to be long before the polis turn up.' As Burgh players, including captain Derek Esplin, dashed into the crowd to try and calm their fans, the supporter added: 'There's a player coming in now. Johnstone Burgh players are coming in to sort it out. 'That's how bad it is. It's the captain of Johnstone Burgh. Have you ever seen anything like this in your life? It's nothing short of disgraceful. I've been to over 900 football games and I've never seen anything like that.' The match was briefly stopped by the referee amid the chaotic scenes at the cup tie attended by a bumper crowd of around 2,000 fans. Order was restored, thanks in no small way to the efforts of the Burgh players, with the game finishing 1-0 to Largs. A Burgh source said yesterday: 'There is footage which captures one part of the incident but, just before it, an opposition supporter runs some distance to the shed where the children are, and goads them following the goal. 'What happens next is not good, of course, but the club has worked so hard over the past five years to build itself up. We had ample security in place although there was no segregation, which is a positive aspect of football at this level, and unfortunately a small number of people have caused the scenes which we saw. The vast majority of our young fans are great children.' Scottish football at all levels this season has also seen rising numbers of young fans wearing black clothing, and styling themselves as 'Ultras' with some instances of disorder and pyrotechnics use sparking condemnation from police. The match, the first leg of the Junior Cup semi-final, kicked-off at 5.30pm at Keanie Park on Saturday. The second leg sees Largs host Burgh on May 18 at Barrfields Park, with a 2pm kick-off. Johnstone Burgh said in a statement: 'The club do not condone antisocial or aggressive behaviour from supporters of any age. 'However, it is crucial that people understand this was a situation where adult males aggressively provoked a group of teenagers, and any reaction should be viewed within that context. 'Appropriate stewarding was in place for the expected attendance, and we commend our security team for their swift and professional handling of the situation. It is deeply regrettable that one of our stewards was assaulted in the process. 'Inquiries are ongoing, and any individuals identified as having engaged in violence or antisocial behaviour will be banned from Keanie Park. 'We remain committed to maintaining a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for all supporters, particularly the younger members of our community.' A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Around 7.35pm on Saturday, police were called to a disturbance at a football ground in Auchenlodment Road, Johnstone. 'The groups had dispersed on police arrival and there were no further reports of any people being injured.' It's understood no further police action is planned in relation to the incident. Largs Thistle were approached for comment.
