The
coastal scene of Largo Bay with its sandy beaches and golf courses,
lying in the shadow of the old volcanic mound of Largo Law (
hill ), forms an attractive setting for the old villages of
Lundin Links, Upper Largo and Lower Largo. Consequently Lundin
Links has always been a favorite of vacationers and especially
golfers. The Lundin Links course was designed in 1868 and today
is of the required standard to hold the qualifying rounds of
the Open Championship when it is held in St Andrews. The course
is dotted with ancients stones and ruined towers from ancient
times.
Lower Largo is a popular tourist resort with an attractive harbor
at the mouth of the Kiel River which is dominated by the towering
arches and pillars of the now defunct railway viaduct. Lower
Largo is renowned for its association with Alexander Selkirk,
who was to gain fame for his self-imposed exile on a desert
island in the Pacific Ocean. Selkirk was born in the village
in 1676 and in his youth developed a keen interest in the seafaring
life. Eventually, he ran away to sea and in the year 1704 was
sailing on the ship " Cinque Ports " across the Pacific Ocean
when after a violent disagreement with the captain he was put
ashore on the island of Juan Fernandez. It was four years and
four months before he was rescued and returned to London. Daniel
Defoe, the novelist, became interested in the real-life story
and in 1719 published Robinson Crusoe. In Lower Largo a small
statue of Andrew Selkirk, dressed in familiar desert island
goat-skin clothing, marks the site of the cottage where he was
born.
Upper Largo otherwise known as Kirkton of Largo, with its old
Church that was consecrated in 1243 lies near the foot of Largo
Law. the Church with its 17th century spire sits high on a grassy
knoll and forms a picturesque setting amongst the trees and
surrounding cottages.
Standing between Upper Largo and Lundin Links are the sorry
ruins of Largo House which built by the architect Robert Adams
in 1750.
Lower Largo is ideally located for easy trips to St Andrews,
Dunfermline, Culross, Perth, Edinburgh, Falkland Palace,
and all of historic Fife. If you would like to visit this area
as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native
Scotland please e-mail me:
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