NOSTALGIA: Former butcher operated in Main Street in Largs

Earlier this month, we reported on the discovery of the tiles manufactured by James Duncan during stripping out work taking place at the Mactaggart & Co office at 75 Main Street.

Mactaggart & Co Estate Agency is rebranding, and fully refurbishing and modernising the office which will re-open in the new year.

Reader Nigel Macmillan has contacted the News to say that his great grandfather was once a butcher in the same premises at the turn of the 20th century.

He said: "My great grandfather was John Whyte Macmillan, and it was he who occupied these premises when it was J. W. Macmillan, Butcher & Poulterer.

"John and his mother resided in the flat/house above the shop, and when he married Jane A. McGrouther in 1893, he and his new wife moved to Heath Cottage, or Heathcote, Brisbane Street, Largs, where they raised three daughters, Ellen, Catherine, and Johanna, and one son, my grandfather Nigel.

"I can't be 100 per cent certain, but I'm pretty sure the butchers business was in existence from the mid 1880's up until the mid 1930's, as my father Colin remembered doing butcher meat and egg deliveries with his brother John, and they were born in 1925 and 1922 respectively.

Note the cobbled stoned streets as John Macmillan butcher is pictured (Image: Newsquest)

"At some point John also sat on the town council, although I have as yet been unable to establish exactly when.

"He died in Largs in July 1939, and as with other members of the family, is buried in Haylie Brae Cemetery.

"On the reverse of the photo is written J.W. Macmillan, Butcher, Largs 1916. Wilson's Tearoom top right, Post Office on left.

"Note the cobbled street, with John standing at his shop on his left".

Nigel added: "As a child I also have vague memories from around the late 1960's/early 1970's of The Tartan Tearoom which used to occupy the premises too."