Largs 'would be perfect destination' for UK railway tours

Community councillor Jamie Black made the suggestion at a town meeting - and said he would be writing a letter to rail tour companies which cover the UK and asking that Largs could be included as part of their itinerary.

Jamie said: "Largs is a great tourism destination, I am going to ask them if they have ever considered our area as a destination for rail tours that come up from England from the likes of King's Cross. 

"They can bring 300 people and could go on the ferry, visit the attractions such as the Vikingar! and Nardini's, or perhaps go over to Millport.

"They would come up for the day from the likes of Euston station and leave about 5.30pm. 

"The Royal Scotsman comes to the likes of Wemyss Bay, but this would be concentrating more on day trippers."

Community councillor Jim Perman said: "I think the problem might be that it is now a single track."

Largs used to have four different platforms in the 1970, but the dual railway tracks on the approaches to the station were taken away in 1987 when the line was electrified.

However, Jamie thinks it could still be a possibility and would like to see the idea pursued - and would be a tourism boost to the town.

He said: "It would just be diesel trains that come in but they do it all over the country - but Largs is nowhere else.

"As Largs is a great place to visit, go for a chippie, take in the Viking heritage - it is popular with daytrippers from the Glasgow area so why not look at expanding that."

Mr Black has emailed Midland Pullman Luxury Services and also another rail company asking them to consider Largs as a destination.

The community council's calls may bring back some memories for older News readers of the day more than 46 years ago when 400 day trippers from Manchester received a 'royal' welcome when their train arrived in Largs.

Waiting to greet them were Largs Brisbane Queen Shelia Wightman and her ladies in waiting, along with Councillor Dan Doris and a piper in full Highland regalia. The group had travelled on a special train.

The 'News' reported at the time: "The normally quiet Largs Railway Station took on the appearance of a mini-travel exhibition, with gaily coloured tables, full of tourist information about Largs and the surrounding area for the benefit of visitors.

"Cumbrae was not forgotten either, and Largs piermaster Mr Jim Gracie, of Caledonian MacBrayne, along with purserette, Joan McCribbon, did a marvellous sales job as a boatload of visitors crossed to Cumbrae Slip, and were taken to Millport by special bus." 

Train trip from Manchester to Largs in 1970s (Image: Newsquest)
At that time, Councillor Doris, who had also served as the town's Provost, expressed the wish to see many more such trips from the South, and he hoped that all interested parties might get together to discuss the possibility of package weekends to this area.

The picture above, from the archives of the News, shows the gathering of Largs and Millport residents, including Harry Carter of Millport Pipe Band, to welcome the 400 visitors from Manchester.

Brisbane Queen Shelia Wightman, and Councillor Dan Doris on left are also pictured.