A walk along Greenock Road to Gallowgate Street

Now we reach the main part of Gallowgate Street itself. So pick up the pace and lets get going.

The Royal Hotel, Morris's and Potters pool bar

The old Morris's Restaurant and Diner building was built in 1815 as a home for Dr John Campbell (1791 - 1873).John Campbell became a licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1811 and a Fellow in 1863. He became a Fellow of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 1816 and gained his Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in Glasgow in 1830. He became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London in 1813. He also practised as a surgeon in Largs for 61 years.

As a tribute to his long service to Largs the Campbell Fountain was built in his memory about 1892-97. The original location of the fountain was right in front of Morris's next to St Columba's Church. The fountain was later moved to the Mackerston putting green in the late 1890's.Inscribed on the fountain are the words

"The people of Largs to John Campbell for 61 years their beloved physician. Born 1791, died 1873."

This building was eventually replaced by The Royal Hotel which was built sometime bebefore 1892. Later during an extension to the Royal Hotel workers came across a 14 foot deep well. The Royal Hotel was very popular place for locals in its day. The Royal Hotel had a large function hall at the back called The Nordic Suite and at one time called The Lounge Royale. This is where today's Potters snooker and pool bar is located.

In April 2019 the owner of Morris's Steakhouse and Diner ,Mr Gordon Scott, retired and the business was put up for sale and was soon purchased by new owners. Mr Scott had worked for the Old Royal Hotel and when onto convert the old Hotel into Morris's Steakhouse in 1987.

New owners of Morris's gave the front a new blue make over and opened a new Sea Food Restaurant. Unfortunately in December 2019 the Seafood Café closed its doors just four months after opening and the building was put on the market once more. The building has now been purchased by businessman Kadir Turbun who intends to refurbish the Building and provide luxury residential flats to rent out as either bed and breakfast or short term stays.

Morris's Restaurant and Diner plus the Ecco Vino bar. Photo taken in 2008.

The building in the middle was to become the Royal Hotel and later Morris's Restaurant. The building to the left is the old St Columbas Church, built in 1812. This church was eventually demolished in 1892 and replaced with today's St Columbas Church.

To the left is an old Royal Hotel advert from the 1970s

Alberts Bar

This bar has had many business’s over the years. Some recent ones have been in 1994 Pascals, 1997 Cafe Norge, 1998 Cafe Blue and 1998 The Carnival Lounge. Recently was Alberts Bar and Ecco Vino. Has been empty for a number of years now.

Watter's Garage

The first garage in Largs to sell petrol in the early 1900s was Watters Garage at 82 Gallowgate. Watters Garage was located where the (closed down) Teenage Cafe is today. In the early days the petrol pump was on the pavement as can be seen on the top right photo. Later pumps were installed at the top of the lane. A wooden turntable was used to turn the cars arround.

Victoria Hotel

The much missed Victoria Hotel was recently demolished to make way for a block of flats.

The building was originally built prior to 1870 to hold the Barlows Temperance Hotel. In the early 1900's this was rebuilt and became the Victoria Hotel. At some period it was renamed the Britannia Hotel for while. In 1930 the hotel was badly damaged by fire. In the last few years of its life it became Vicky's Bar Diner and was very popular for live music.

Below are a selection of images of the Victoria Hotel in different periods of its life.

68 to 78 Gallowgate Street and the White Hart Hotel.

The Old White Hart Hotel as it looks today.

Same view taken at in the early 1900's

As we leave the Victoria Hotel the building directly next to it has has two flats above. This building was at one time one house called Cumberland House. On the ground floor the entrance to the flats was set back a little. To the right is the entrance to one of the shops. In 1894 the shop housed Thomas Littlejohn Watchmaker and Jeweller. Then William Murray jeweller and also Hampton Photographer Studios.

This shop was later extended out the front and became the Viking Amusements and now today the Pound Shop.

The building where the Bon Bon Cafe is today was built in 1820 as the White Hart Inn. It later became the Largs Hotel sometime prior to 1926. In the mid 1980 it was converted to flats and also became Tobys Bar.

To the north side of the build you can still just make out the sign for the White Hart Inn which was painted onto the side of the building.

The North end of Gallowgate Street from an early 1900's Postcard.