Backpacking in Largs: Spur of the Moment Day Trip
Posted: April 16 2024 | Tagged: United Kingdom
Hanging out in Glasgow, Scotland, I needed something to lighten my mood and distract me from a few never-ending worries, I took a train on the spur of the moment from Glasgow Central to the coastal town Largs.
With my new Merrell hiking shoes (Sports Direct) and my trusty day pack with a not so waterproof jacket as it turns out, titanium water bottle and croissant from Sainsbury, I take the 10:45 out of Glasgow Central to the coastal town of Largs.
Just 32 miles from Glasgow, the train takes 1 hour 3 minutes and costs £12 return.
Largs is known locally as Scotland’s Costa del Sol because of the many beach bars, ice cream parlours and amusement arcades.
But I wanted to see if there was anything more to Largs than kiss-me-quick hats, candy floss and donkey rides or was I confusing that with Blackpool?
The journey starts from Glasgow Central Station:
Just 32 miles from Glasgow, the train takes 1 hour 3 minutes and costs £12 return.
Largs is known locally as Scotland’s Costa del Sol because of the many beach bars, ice cream parlours and amusement arcades.
But I wanted to see if there was anything more to Largs than kiss-me-quick hats, candy floss and donkey rides or was I confusing that with Blackpool?
The journey starts from Glasgow Central Station:
You can get your tickets at the machine or at the ticket office where you can indulge in a bit of human interaction:
The station has free WiFi, free toilets, and drinking water fountains.
The 10:45 to Largs from platform 14:
The 10:45 to Largs from platform 14:
Arrival in Largs:
Making up for lost time spent dithering the morning away in Glasgow, upon arrival, I set out immediately for the Pencil Monument.
You can follow the path along the coast. In rough weather, part of the path might be underwater.
You can follow the path along the coast. In rough weather, part of the path might be underwater.
It was mostly raining and very windy. It was worth the walk to see the Pencil Monument. It was erected in 1912 as a memorial to the Battle of Largs in 1263:
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This particular one is a ½ size replica of one built in Brechin in the 1100s.
Notice the oak door? Towers like these offered some sort of refuge so access was by retractable ladders. A bit like the towers found in Svaneti in Georgia.
Notice the oak door? Towers like these offered some sort of refuge so access was by retractable ladders. A bit like the towers found in Svaneti in Georgia.
A bit of time to backpack the striking St Columba Parish Church:
Then I took the ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae all of which is detailed in a dedicated blog post.
2 ferries were operating. I got to ride on both of them:
I was back on the mainland at just about 4:30. Time for some grub at the World Famous Nardini Cafe.
I had the classic 'Boneless Haddock' with chips. And a great tea which I drank black
With an hour before a convenient train to take me back to Glasgow, I finished up my food and carried on backpacking Largs, this time in drier conditions.
Across from Nardinis is a statue of Viking Magnus. The Vikings were defeated in the Battle of Largs in 1263:
Across from Nardinis is a statue of Viking Magnus. The Vikings were defeated in the Battle of Largs in 1263:
There are no donkey rides here. But you could ride one of the amusement rides, in better weather of course:
Or just hang out at the Wetherspoon.
My day trip was rather short but this blog site gives comprehensive guide to things to see and do in Largs.
One last thing that I wanted to see, was the war memorial and look out across to Cumbrae:
It was a day spent being chased by the rain. See the clouds on the right? Just a few minutes later, the sun was replaced by heavy rain/sleet:
An excellent day trip from Glasgow. The 18:07 back to Glasgow Central:
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