Welcome to Lower Largo. Here we can see the Crusoe Hotel which we’ll talk about shortly. From this point, we will work our way through Lower Largo seeing the sights of this fabulous wee village.
Fishing in Largo
Although fishing was an important part of Largo’s history, it was not the main occupation for most people in Largo. At one time a dozen large deep-sea herring fishing boats were based in Largo Harbour but this ended in 1909 when the last survivor ‘Ocean Bride’ ceased to operate. Salmon fishing using stake nets out from the shore also flourished for a time, being active at several sites across Largo Bay during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Crusoe Hotel was built in 1824 as a granary, storing produce such as grain and potatoes before being loaded onto sailing ships bound for the likes of England, France and the Netherlands. Returning vessels would use pantiles as ballast, hence the East Neuk characteristic of pantile roofs. The end of the building closest to the sea was used as an inn and the ground floor room next to the road was made into a tearoom in 1920, Its license being granted on the condition that no liquor be sold. Before the Second World War it was a hairdressers run by Margaret Dick, whose father owned the hotel. Mrs Fred Horne, who taught in the Durham school before she got married used to get a Marcell Wave. The small door in the wall next to the pier was a toilet, built in 1888 for the convenience of the fisherman using the pier.
As you go around the trail, tap the ‘previous’ and ‘next’ arrows to move between points. The picture at the top of the page is shows you where you should be.
If the map does not show your current position when you click “Show My Location” , check your phone browser setting and allow Location.
If there’s more than one of you with a smartphone, you can use the What3Words app to help you navigate. It’s free to download – type in the what3words location, tap “use compass” and it will help you find your way. Though remember, this will point to the exact location, not necessarily following the right path, so use the map on each page to help you.
