The Royal Oak
It was the end of an era on Sunday 11 October when the Royal Oak closed its doors for the last time. The Royal Oak was over 100 years old when it closed. Previous owners were John Millar, Quentin McKellar and the owner at the end was Tony Riley. Tony had owned the Royal Oak for 25 years. Tony has decided to retire. The Royal Oak was famous for its old world feel and its small cozy interior. It was also well known for it the external wall paintings of varous ships and Clyde steamers. These were painted by local man Donald Downie.
A Royal Oak regular, Arlene Muir, penned a special poem which was read out at the packed bar as the final pints were being served.
She named it 'The Star of Boyd Street'It isn't just a pub you know we want to make that clear, it is a cosy little living room where people could spread some cheer.
Or years and years it stood its ground and always gave us pleasure, The laughs, the jokes, the lives we shared, It has truly been a treasure.The Willies, Jimmies, Bills and Johns, the gossip and the chatter is buried deep within these walls with all the local patter
The star of Boyd St corner, this little house of drink, some come to chat and down a pint, and others just to think.Tonight is the grand finale, as we bid this pub adieu, we will forever have these memories, the staff and me and you.
And so tonight the doors will close, so let us not be sad, instead let's toast each other for all the laughs we have had.
The Royal Oak was eventually purchased by Tinto Tapas. This eatery has been very popular with locals since it opened. Find out more of whats on offer at Tinto Tapas at their web site here.
Drouthy Neebors
The Drouthy Neebours building was built as the Jubilee bar public house in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. It was built by Mr John Watson who also had a shipbreaking company at the time. The wood from the scrapped ship, The Iron Duke, was used in the construction of the Jubilee Building for the joists, rafters and other internal woodwork. Inscribed in the stonework on the wall of the property which faces Crawford Street are the initials of its owner John Watson.
In March 1984 the Jubilee Bar was refurbished and re opened as Whams restaurant by owners Jimmy and Peggy Wham. It specialised in seafood and had an impressive evening menu which featured over 70 dishes, including a choice of 16 starters, 15 fish dishes and 16 meat courses. They also had a selection of over 60 wines available including Whams own wine called Blue Max. The wines were served in specially shaped Bavarian wine goblets.In 1997 the pub seen another refurbishment and new owners Belhaven when it became McCabes. Recently in 2017 it was renamed Drouthy Neebours.
In case you are wondering, the name Drouthy Neebours is taken from the second line of the famous Robert Burns poem Tam O'Shanter which he wrote in 1791. It translates to thirsty neighbours. The poem starts off with the line "When chapmen billies leave the street" which translates to "When the peddler people leave the streets" and then quotes the next line as "And drouthy Neebors, Neebors meet" which translates to "and thirsty neighbours, neighbours meet." Apart from the great name the Old Largs team like the fact that this is one of only 2 pubs in Largs where Punk Brewdog IPA Beer is on draft.
The Clachan.
The Waterside as it is today.
The Waterside as it is today.
The George
On the site of today’s George Pub and Restaurant was the Brisbane Arms. In 1811 was owned by a John Paton, in 1821 by Thomas Strachan and by 1867 Jane Hunter. In the mid 1800s the Brisbane Arms Hotel was the leading social hub of the town with the local gentry and visitors regularly parking their carriages and horses outside or at the stables which was at the rear of the building. The two stone horse tethering posts are still there today although the metal rings are probably a modern addition.
By 1910 it had lost its license and became the Brisbane Temperance Hotel. The temperance movement in Scotland began in earnest around 1830 inspired by the prohibition movement of the United States. Originally it focussed on reducing consumption of strong spirits. Many Hotels like the Brisbane Arms and the Eglington Hotel on Gallowgate Street where known as a temperance hotels and did not sell alcohol. The hay day of the temperance movement in Largs was between 1850 and the early 1900s. Lets hope it never returns.
Later the hotel changed its name back to the George Hotel when its licence was again acquired. In 1925 it went up for sale for £1300 and after keen competition was sold at £1580. The layout was different in thoses days with the public bar on the right and on the left the lounge bar. For years many locals recall getting their photograph taken with a small monkey infront of the hotel and even stories of a bear being tied to the horse tethering posts which we assume may have been related to a visiting circus.
In 1998 the ground and first floor interior had a major upgrade and re-opened as the George Free House Pub. Since then the The George continues to be one of Largs most popular Pub Restaurants. Many people believe the building dates from 1719. That is actually the pubs address. 17 to 19 Main Street.
Nice to see the old Horse posts are still in use today.
An 1959 advert for the George Hotel.
