The name Gallowgate would suggest justice being dispersed in the square however there are no records of any executions ever taking place in the square. This was probably done in another part of the town. The Gallowgate Square is one of the oldest parts of Largs located near the old Church and the Gallowhill Norman Motte.

For years cattle were kept on the site during the annual Colms Fair.

The most famous resident of Gallowgate Square was Sir Walter Scott who stayed at 1 Gallowgate Square for a short time.

To the left as you look up we have the new site of the Post Office. In the past this was previously Motion Opticians, The Aristocrat Restaurant in 1991 and Maxwells Restaurant in 1994.

In the middle we have the Old Council Chambers built in 1912 which is now the very popular restaurant The Room. An Old Largs Team favourite. The small balcony at the front above the main door is where announcements were made in the past. People gathered in the square to hear news of a new King or Queen and election results.

Eventually the council moved to Moorburn house. Later it became McKays Tearoom, then Nicolsons Tearooms in the 1940's, then the Melmore restaurant. during this period a Youth Group was ran from the upstairs room. In 1967 George Shek purchased the Melmore and opened the The Marpao Chinese restaurant. Later it became the Sea Dragon Restaurant. In the early 1990 it housed Harpoon Harrys Bar then Flannigans in 1994 ,then the Townhouse and eventually The Room Bar and Restaurant.

For more details on whats on offer at the Room check out their web site

With the exception of the newer Post Office building and the Council Chambers many of the building to the left of the square, to the right hand side of the Room and the Anchor Bar side date back to the mid to late 1800's.

The square has had a fountain since 1801. This original fountain was replaced in 1910 to replace the original one built in 1801. This had running water and a bronze drinking cup attached with a chain.

The buildings to the left housed the Rheanan Guest House, a needlework shop, Mitchells of Saltcoats, Ladbrokes, Rob Roys Sandwiches and baked potatoes and S Kennedy florist.

A early Gallowgate Square winter scene

A post WW1 early remembernace day parade. Pre 1921. Exact date unknown.

Above, the square as it looked just prior to the 2018 re development. Below The square at the turn of the century. To the left the old 1910 fountain

The Anchor was first opened for business on the 16th June 1790 by William Glynn. From the original title deeds it would appear the Anchor was once bounded by a piggery and knackers yard

The business has handed down through several generations of Glynn's until 1888 when it was purchased by a Mr R Robertson. During this period it was alos ran by a John Fyfe and later a Margaret Houston.

In 1894 the Anchor was owned by a Henry Watson and Jessie Carsell. In their deaths in 1905 the business was passed to a H Waites. The business was sold again in 1923 to John Stirling, he then sold the business to Robert Snograss in 1935. Later D Haddow was the proprietor who was related the Haddow family which created the Haddows Off License business. J&R Tennants Ltd purchased the property in 1966.

The word inn had a different meaning in terms of the law in the 1700s and 1800s and therefore the owner was able to sell alcohol on the pier and the the prom plus any public function in particular the annual Colms Fair which was held in June each year. For a time the Anchor provided bed and breakfast facility for travellers and there was a direct access from the bar to the apartments above.

Later William Hogg Paterson , who worked for Tennants, aquired the license from Tennants in January 1983 and it became a Free House. After Williams retirment he passed on the license to his son Niven in 1996.

The current layout and decor of the Anchor dates from a 1978 refurbishment. Prior to that the bar extended a further 3 feet from where it is today with a second fireplace on the on the right hand side wall next to the bar. Where the rear of the bar is today was te cellar. The building to the rear of the Anchor which contains the toilets, cellar and the passageway to the Square was originally a separate build from the Inn. In the 1930s the two buildings were joined together.

Today the Anchor is one of Largs most popular pubs. Old and young, locals and town visitors can be found in thr Anchor most nights.

A smart bunch of Anchor bar men from the 1960s. The clock at the top right of the photo is still hanging at the bar today. Photo by kind permission of N Paterson.

The Anchor when owned and ran by D Haddow. Photo by kind permission of N Paterson

The orginal entrance sign for the Old Marnie & Curlinghall Hotel which was demolished in 1990.

Booze is the only answer. This poster was given to the Anchor as a gift in 1978.