Upper Largo
| Upper Largo | |
| Fife | |
|---|---|
 Upper Largo | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 56.217 -2.917 |
| Data | |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Fife |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
North East Fife |
Upper Largo or Kirkton of Largo is a village near the East Neuk of Fife. It rests on the southern slopes of Largo Law and half a mile north of Largo Bay and the rather larger village of Lower Largo. It is the home of Largo Cricket Club.
Location
To traffic passing through Upper Largo, it can be mistaken for a single street (this is Main Street) of mostly stone built shops and houses. A junction in the centre of this street leads north east towards St Andrews along the A915 road.
At the western end of Main Street is the Upper Largo Hotel and a ship's chandlery, in what was formerly the village garage and filling station. A minor road north of here leads to a small village green and the adjacent kirkyard of the Largo and Newburn Parish Church. The kirkyard is on a rise and affords good views over the rooftops of the village, and of the houses and cottages on the north side of the green.
John Wood's Hospital
Along the St Andrews road is one of Upper Largo's most impressive buildings: John Wood's Hospital which was founded in 1659 or 1665 as an almshouse or hospital for old men sharing the surname of its founder, John Wood.[1] It was renovated in 1975 as part of a wider development of the site that saw more than ten residences built nearby, which now form sheltered housing.
Sir Andrew Wood
Sir Andrew Wood, on occasion referred to as the Scottish Nelson, made his name in battles against the English fleet in the years around 1500, and in recognition of his feats he was given estates in this part of Fife by King James III.
Wood lived in the mediæval Largo House, of which only a tower now remains, three hundred yards west of the Parish Church. The oldest part of today's church dates back to 1623, but it was clearly built on the site of an earlier one. Sir Andrew linked his house and the church with what is believed to be Scotland's earliest canal, built so he could be rowed to church in his personal barge each Sunday in a manner befitting a naval hero.
Largo House
The fortalice of the mediæval Largo House was replaced as the laird's residence by the nearby Palladian Largo House built c. 1750 by James Durham.[2] This now stands as a shell after being partially demolished by Charles Brand of Dundee Ltd in 1951, on the instructions of the owners, the Maitland-Makgill-Crichton family of Monzie Castle, Crieff, to avoid having to pay rates. The main block of the house is attributed to James Adam but recent research indicates that it may actually have been designed by John Douglas, an equally important architect and contemporary of the Adams. Further wings were added in 1814 and 1831 by General James Durham, who had his coat of arms placed on the tympanum.
Largo Law
- Main article: Largo Law
Largo Law rises to 951 feet, is conical in shape and is the remains of a volcanic plug. It is easily ascended from Upper Largo, to the south, where there is an information board and parking space. The route passes between the steadings of Chesterstone Farm before directly ascending the hill's steep south face.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Upper Largo) |
References
- ↑ "Upper Largo, 9-20 Woodlaw Park, John Wood's Hospital". Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/32829/details/upper+largo+9+20+woodlaw+park+john+wood+s+hospital/. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
- ↑ Was the home of Admiral Philip Charles Durham, who captained HMS Defiance at Nelson's victory at Trafalgar in 1805