PARISH OF LARGO.
THIS PARISH is on the south coast of the County. It is bounded on the south by Largo Bay, by the parishes of Kilconquhar and Newburn on the east, by Ceres on the north, and by Scoonie on the west. It contains the villages of Upper Largo, or Kirkton, Lower Largo, with its suburbs, Drumochie and Temple, Lundin Mill, Woodside, and New Gilston. Its length from north to south is nearly four and a half miles, and its average breadth three miles. The shore is generally low and sandy, but the ground soon begins to rise towards the north. The general surface is very diversified by rising grounds and valleys, and beautifully ornamented with various kinds of wood. The most striking feature in the landscape is Largo Law, a conical hill, with a double summit, covered with verdure to the top, and rising to upwards of 900 feet above the sea. From its top a splendid view of the surrounding country- the Firth of Forth with its islands, and the opposite shores of the Lothians- is obtained. To the westward of Largo Law a deep ravine, called Keil's Den, intersects the Parish from north to south, for about two miles. It is beautifully wooded, laid out with fine foot-paths, and is very picturesque. It is a favourite resort with all who visit Largo during the summer, for sea-bathing. The rocks are partly trap, and partly of the coal formation. Coal has long been wrought on the northern boundary, and at one time was celebrated for its fine quality; but now it is all but exhausted. At present an attempt is being made to work other coal beds, on Balmain Farm, but as yet the upper or inferior seams have only been reached; and the proprietors seem confident of procuring finer coal at a lower level. There is excellent sandstone in some places, and limestone of excellent quality is also wrought. The total area amounts to about 7000 acres, 6000 of which are under cultivation, and the remainder in pasture and wood. The soil in the north is generally a black loam on a wet bottom; in the south it is partly of a light character, but more commonly a black loam, sometimes on a wet, and sometimes on a dry subsoil. The chief mansion-house is Largo House, the property of Mrs C. Dundas Durham. It is an elegant edifice, built in 1750, and is situated a little to the west of Kirkton, on a slope, amidst pleasure grounds, with a southern exposure, and commands an extensive and brilliant prospect. The Barony of Largo was conferred, by James III., on Sir Andrew Wood, his naval commander, as a reward for his brilliant victories over the English. The estate has since then several times changed owners, and was purchased by Sir Alexander Durham, ancestor of the present family, in the reign of Charles II.
The village of Lower Largo stands on the shore of the Bay, at the embouchure of the Keil,- two and a half miles east of Leven, and about ten to the west of Anstruther. Many of the houses have a decaying look, it being mostly built of red sandstone taken from the sea, which has the defect of gradually crumbling into dust, by long exposure to the weather. Formerly there was a spinning mill at the mouth of the Keil, driven partly by water, and partly by steam-power; but for some years the works have been suspended, and at present the building is used as an oil and oil-cake mill. There is a small pier at the embouchure of the Keil, which, as a harbour, is not of much importance. In old times a large trade was carried on here with Holland, and more recently with Norway; but all that has been long at an end. Upper Largo, or Kirkton, which is about half a mile from the sea, is a fine, clean, well-built village, with a number of good houses and shops; and we know of no finer village in the County of its size. There is an institution in the village, called Wood's Hospital, for the maintenance of indigent persons of the name of Wood. It originated in 1659, by a bequest of John Wood, a cadet of the family of the celebrated Admiral. The present hospital was built in 1830, at a cost of £2000. It is an elegant, ornamental edifice, in the Elizabethan style, containing accommodation for sixteen inmates. The allowance to each inmate is £15 sterling, with lodgings and a supply of vegetables. Both Lower and Upper Largo are favourite resorts as sea-bathing quarters, a number of the inhabitants letting out a portion of their premises to summer visitors. The village of Lundin Mill is to the west of Lower Largo, and is inhabited chiefly by weavers. The Standard Assurance Co., which, a number of years ago, purchased the estate of Lundin from the late Captain J. E. Wemyss, have greatly improved the estate, and built a number of charming villas at Lundin Links, with the view of inducing respectable families to make these villas their summer residences; and, should the attempt succeed, the aspect of the place may, ere long, be revolutionized. The village of New Gilston is on the northern border, and is inhabited chiefly by miners.
The Parish contains some interesting antiquities. Within the grounds of Largo House is a circular tower, which formed part of the old castle inhabited by Sir Andrew Wood. On the banks of the Keil Burn, to the north of Largo, is an old square tower, part of the castle of Balcruvie, also, anciently called Pitcruvie. It is supposed that this castle was built by Sir John Lindsay, son of Patrick, fourth Lord Lindsay, of the Byers, as a separate residence during his father's life-time, who resided at Struthers. In the centre of the present house of Lundin, which is a modern erection, is a square tower of great antiquity, which formed part of the ancient castle of Lundin, the residence of a family of the name of Lundin, which held property of great extent in the district, as early as the reign of David II. To the west of Lundin Mill, a little to the north of the turnpike road, are the three "Standing Stance of Lundin." They are of great age, and bear no trace of any sculpture or inscription. Various theories have been propounded as to their origin, but the most generally received opinion is, that they once formed part of a Druidical Temple; and, if so, they must have occupied their present site for a period of about 2000 years. Ancient sculptures have been found in their neighbour hood. A stone cross, with elaborate carvings, stands on a pedestal, on the lawn in front of Largo House. The stone is in two pieces, which were found at places a mile apart from each other, and put into their present position by the late General Durham. Two remarkable natives of this Parish were, Alexander Selkirk, the prototype of Robinson Crusoe, several of whose relics are still kept by a relative in Lower Largo, and Sir John Leslie, the celebrated natural philosopher.
The Parish is traversed in every direction by good roads, and the East of Fife Railway runs along the entire southern border, with stations at Lundin Links and Lower Largo.
The Parish Church, which is at the Kirkton, comprises part of an old building with a Spire, built in 1623, and a new building, erected in 1817. It contains upwards of 800 sittings. There are also a Free Church, at Kirkton, and a U. P. Church, and a small Baptist Chapel, at Lower Largo. The Schools are- the Parish School, at Upper Largo, a handsome new Subscription School, at Lundin Links, a new Female Industrial School, at Lower Largo, and a Subscription School, at New Gilston. There is a weekly corn market at the Kirkton, which is held on Thursday.
With the exception of a few places, which are so entered in the Directory, the POST OFFICE for the whole Parish is at Kirkton, with receiving boxes at Lower Largo and Lundin Mill, John Marr, Post Master.- Letters from all parts arrive about 8.45 A.M. and 5.15 P.M., and are despatched at 6.30 A.M. and 3 P.M. Two walking postmen leave the Post Office about 9 A.M., for New Gilston, Newborn, and other country districts, returning in time for the afternoon's despatch.
BAKERS.
Ireland, David, Kirkton
Tullis, Robert, Lundin Mill
BANKS.
NATIONAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, Kirkton. W. R. Ketchin, Agent
SAVINGS' BANK, open every Monday evening, in the National Bank Office Kirkton, from 7 to 8, Thomas Ketchin Actuary
BAND OF HOPE PENNY SAVINGS' BANK open every Monday evening, from 7 to o'clock, Rev. Thomas Stothert, Treas.William Walker, Sec.
BLACKSMITHS.
Hogg, Alexander, Kirkton
Pryde, Thomas, Balhousie
Ramsay, James, Thomsford
Sime, Thomas, New Gilston
Tait, William, (& Farrier) Kirkton
BOAT OWNERS & SKIPPERS.
Anderson, John, Lower Largo
Ballingall, David, do
Ballingall, James, do
Ballingall, John, do
Clunie, John, do
Gillies, Alexander, do
Gillies, David, do
Gillies, James, do
Gillies, John, do
Gillies, Samuel, do
Guthrie, Robert, Drumochie
Guthrie, Walter, do
Melville, Thomas, Lower Largo
Sharp, John, do
Tait, David, do
BOOT & SHOEMAKERS.
Allan, David, Lundin Mill
Allan, William, Lower Largo
Kirk, David, do
Luke, William, do
Mayes, Alexander, Kirkton
Ritchie, David, do
Thomson, John, Carlhurly, by Largo
BUILDERS.
Mitchell, Alex., & John, Lundin Mill
Tivendale, Thomas, Kirkton
White, Andrew, Lundin Mill
White, Robert, do
CARRIERS.
East of Fife Railway, Stations at Lower Largo and Lundin Links
Lindsay, David, from Kirkton to Colinsburgh, St Monance, Pittenweem, Anstruther, &c., every Wednesday and Saturday, to Cupar, on Monday, and to Leven, Kirkcaldy, &e., on Tuesday and Friday
Scott, Robert, from Kirkton to Leven, Kirkcaldy, &c., on Tuesday and Friday
CARTERS & LAND LABOURERS.
Baldie, David, Woodside
Black, James, do
Birrell, Michael, Lundin Mill
Carmichael, James, New Gilston
Duncan, George, Hillside
Hunter, George, New Gilston
Johnston, Robert, Lundin Mill
Kellock, David, do
Kinnear, John, Redmyre
Laing, Mrs, New Gilston
Mack, Robert, Lower Largo
Pryde, James, New Gilston
Pryde, William, do
Robb, Alexander, Kirkton
Robertson, John, Baldastard Mains
Scott, Robert, Kirkton
Scott, William, New Gilston
Suttie, Alexander, do
Suttie, George, do
Watson, Mrs James, Kirkton
Wilson, John, Hillhouse
CHINA, STONEWARE, & RAG MERCHANTS.
Anderson, Mrs, Temple, Largo
Ireland, Mrs David, Kirkton
McLaren, John, Lundin Mill
Mack, Robert, Lower Largo
Woodward, Mrs, Largo
CLERGY.
Brown, Robert L., Free Church, Kirkton
Davidson, William, Parish Church, Manse, Kirkton
Malloch, David, Largo U. P. Church, Manse, Lundin Mil
COAL MERCHANTS.
Caird, David, Temple, Largo
Webster, David, Railway Station, Lower Largo
DRAPERS.
Kellock, David, Kirkton
Smith, Robert, & Co., do
DRESSMAKERS & MILLINERS.
Donnet, Mrs, Kirkton
Fleming, Miss, Drumochie
Gilchrist, Mrs Robert, Lundin Mill
Guthrie, Mrs, Lower Largo
Hepburn, Miss Christina, Kirkton
Keddie, Miss Jean, Drumochie
Lees, Mrs, Kirkton
McVicar, Mrs, do
Pratt, Miss Christina, Woodside
FARMERS.
Anderson, John, Pratis, by Kennoway
Bardner, James, Chesterstone
Berwick, Andrew, & Son, Branxton
Berwick, John, Annfield
Berwick, William, Auchendownie
Beveridge, David, Buckthorns
Finlay, Thomas, Balcormie
Forgan, James, Sunnybraes
Graham, David, Bonnytown, by Ceres
Greig, Mrs, Balmain
Grieve, James, Little Balcormie
Hedderwick, James, Gilston Mains
Hoy, Charles, Kiers
Lindsay, David, Kirkton
Orr, Robert, Nether Pratis, by Leven
Russell, George, Hatton
Russell, Robert, Pilmour
Scott, G., & P., Patieshill
Storrar, James, East Gilston Mains
Thomson, George, Baldastard
Tivendale, Robert, New Pilmour
Walker, David, Pitcruvie
Webster, Thomas, Teuchats, by Ceres
Wilson, James, New Gilston
White, James, Lundin Mill
White, John, do
FURNISHED LODGINGS. [Proprietors of, for Summer Visitors]
Anderson, Mrs, Lower Largo
Baldie, Mrs, do
Ballingall, Mrs, Temple, Largo
Black, Mrs, Kirkton
Blyth, Mrs, Temple, Largo
Butters, Mrs James, Lower Largo
Davidson, Mrs, Drumochie
Edie, Misses, Kirkton
Greig, Andrew, do
Guthrie, Henry, Lower Largo
Henderson, Thomas, do
Horn, Robert, do
Leitch, Andrew, Kirkton
Lindsay, Mrs, Lundin Mill
Ness, Mrs James, View-Forth
Pearson, Miss, Kirkton
Selkirk, Alexander, Lower Largo
Watson, Mrs, do
White, Mrs Robert, Lundin Mill
GARDENERS.
Fernie, William, (Jobbing) Kirkton
Hay, James, Strathairly House
McTaggart, Colin, Largo House
GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.
Briggs, Capt. David, Strathairly House
Chiene, George T., Esq., Lundin House
Durham, Mrs C. Dundas, Largo House
Gold, Mrs, Kirkton
Leslie, The Misses, do
Macrae, J. A., Esq., Drumlodge, Drumochie
Mudie, David, Esq., Balhousie
Pringle, Hall, Esq., Kirkton
Scott, The Misses, do
Stothert, Rev. Thomas, Lundin Links
Watson, Mrs, Eden Cottage, Kirkton
Wilson, James, Esq., Kirkton
GROCERS.
Dingwall, Grace, Kirkton
Horn, Robert, Lower Largo
Kellock, John, Lundin Mill
Lessels, Mrs William, Woodside
Marr, John, (& Ales) Kirkton
Mitchell, Mrs Robert, Lundin Mill
Pryde, James, New Gilston
Pryde, William, Woodside
Rodger, William, Lundin Mill
Rutherford, John, do
Shepherd, Mrs, New Gilston
White, James, (& Spirit Dealer) Kirkton
INNKEEPERS, See also Vintners.
Bell, Mrs Andrew, Lundin Mill
Duff, Mrs, Kirkton
Hoy, David, Lower Largo
Selkirk, Alexander, do
INSURANCE AGENTS.
Greig, Andrew, Teacher, Scottish Amicable, life
Ketchin, Thomas, Banker, Royal, fire and life, and Norfolk Farmers' Cattle
Marr, John, Grocer, Scottish Provincial, fire and life
IRONMONGERS,
Marr, John, Kirkton
White, James, do
JOINERS & WRIGHTS.
Bairner, John, Kame, by Ceres
Bremner, Archibald, Drumochie
Dunbar, James, Kirkton
Jarvis, John, Woodside
Leitch, Andrew, Kirkton
MILLERS.
Brown, James, (Corn & Barley) Lundin Mill
Mackie, James, (Flour & Barley) Lundin Mill
RAILWAY AGENTS.
Philp, Edward, Lower Largo
Rodger, William, Lundin Links
SALMON FISHERS.
Clarke & Co., Temple, Largo
Selkirk, A., & Co., Lower Largo
TAILORS.
Dingwall, Andrew, Kirkton
Ireland, George, New Gilston
Pattie, David, Kirkton
Simpson & Wood, (& Clothiers) Kirkton
TEACHERS & SCHOOLS.
Greig, Andrew, Parish School, Kirkton
Greig, Colin, Subscription School, New Gilston
Miller, James, Subscription School, Lundin Mill
Robertson, Miss, Female Industrial School, Lower Largo
Riddell, Miss, (Music and English) Kirkton
VINTNERS, See also Innkeepers.
Dall, James, (Ales only) Kirkton
Guthrie, Walter, Drumochie
Pryde, James, New Gilston
WEAVERS' AGENTS.
Forgan, Thomas, Lundin Mill
Hogg, Andrew, do
MISCELLANEOUS.
Bower, William, Slater, Lower Largo
Brown, And., Potato Merchant, Drumochie
Greig, Andrew, Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Kirkton
Henderson, Thomas, Dog Trainer, Lower Largo
Hutchison, Robert, Lime Burner and Lime Merchant, Thomsford
Kellock, Robert, & Sons, Saw-Millers and Wood Merchants, Hatton and Lathocker Saw-Mills, by Largo
Kirk, Henry, Corkcutter, Kirkton
Lumgair, Geo., M.D., Medical Practitioner, Kirkton
McGregor, Alexander, Flesher, Kirkton
Melville, Samuel, Plumber, Tinsmith, & Gasfitter, Kirkton
Ormiston, Peter, Toll Tacksman, Lundin Mill
Petheram, Henry, Road Surveyor, Haworth
Philp, Benjamin, Corn Merchant, Commission Agent; Inspector of Poor, & Collector of Poors' Rates. Drumochie
Richardson, Alexander, Land Stewart, Largo House
Russell, David, Rape and Linseed Oil, and Oil-Cake Manufacturer, Largo Mill
Scribner, William, Horsebreaker, (Dog Cart for Hire) Kirkton
Sime, Chas., Manager, Gas Works, Kirkton
Thomson, John, Saddler, Kirkton
Wilson, George, Manager, Largo Coal Co., Kirkton
Wood, William, Kirkton, Sec., Largo Curling Club
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