Largs man passionate about town's future creates guide book

Retired Jim Wilson offered to write the book after he attended North Ayrshire Council consultation meetings in 2022 called 'Make Largs...', which asked businesses, community organisations and residents for ideas on how to develop the town in the future.

He volunteered to take on the project and spent nine months walking around the town with his camera taking photographs and speaking to people about their hometown.

The former senior international adviser for the University of Strathclyde then compiled the information from his discussions to create the guide which features shops, landmarks, events and festivals the town offers. 

Jim wrote the book A Guide to Life in Largs today (Image: Newsquest)He said: "As I was not born in Largs and had little knowledge of the town I thought it was the perfect opportunity to ask residents, visitors and businesses for their opinions and suggestions of what to include in a contemporary guide.

"I spent nine months walking in and around Largs with my camera talking to people, gathering information and images to use in the guide.

"I really wanted it to be a community project for the community. One thing that was evident from all conversations I had is that the people of Largs are proud of their town and want visitors to develop the same pride.

"Everyone gave me advice, suggestions and robust comments about past events and I am grateful for their help. I hope I have captured a true reflection of life in Largs today

"It includes a representative number of people, shops and traders, places of interest, some quirky facts and details of cultural pursuits with some dry humour thrown in for good measure. 

"For example, the photographic pages of the Big Ape outside the Blue Lagoon and Magnus the Viking have blank pages opposite to be used for children to draw a copy."

He spent nine months walking around the town with his camera taking photographs (Image: Newsquest)Jim, originally from Bellshill in Lanarkshire, hopes that the guide book can be used for years to come as the design ensures that people can make their own notes to each page as desired.

"The sole purpose of the guide is to promote Largs and what we have to offer", he continued.

"It is 'a' guide not 'the' guide to Largs since there is so much more which could be added to what I have written.

"Book lovers like books and picture books and it reminds people who are perhaps now less able to get out and about or those who cherish memories of familiar places.

"It can be sent to people who grew up in Largs and still want to have that connection to it again or people who want to visit our incredible town.

"We have plenty of amazing things to shout about and community projects that people can get stuck into so I can only hope that this book helps and people find it useful."

"I have done my job in creating the book. It is now for the community to decide how they want to take it forward."

The book, which is for sale at £5, can be purchased from various shops that have a sign of the cover or from Jim himself on 0759 127 6794.