Hopes of bringing national tour companies to visit Largs

Community councillor Jamie Black is hoping to see a revival of Largs as a regular destination for tour companies after it last happened in the 1970s.

With the town having featured favourably in the likes of Michael Portillo's Great Railway Journeys, as well as various other TV shows from Antiques Road Trip to dramas like Vigil, and the town's strong Viking links, Mr Black believes Largs could be a very popular destination.

He said: " I've been approaching rail tour companies to encourage them to include Largs as a destination for rail tours from across the UK.

"I've had a positive response from one such operator who say they are hoping to include Largs next summer as part of a 'land cruise'.

"That's encouraging but I will continue to engage with other companies to promote Largs as a destination.

"I've had support from the Glasgow and South Western Railway Association as well, who have been looking into their archives and providing me information on the history of the railway in Largs, including the site of the old turntable, as well as helpful practical information. Hopefully we get more positive engagement from companies this year."

A land tour is usually a journey of a few days across the country, visiting various different locations.

Mr Black added: "I've had further contact with them and they are keen to try get Largs as a destination, but there's some details we need to work on."

The community council's calls may bring back some memories for older News readers of the day in 1977 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."