A series of articles in 1929 tried to explain the origins behind some of the street names which exist in Largs.

It was revealed that a large number of the names appeared to have a connection to Sir Thomas Brisbane - the former governor of New South Wales in Australia, and soldier and astronomer.

The title given to the series of articles was “A Conjectural Causerie’ which goes some way to suggesting that the actual definitions given may not be set in stone, so to speak, but a certain amount of detective work uncovered various conclusions.

The article explains that the ‘ancient town of Largs’ was undoubtedly situated between Main Street, and Nelson Street, ‘with a few offshoots to the south, including some picturesque ruins about Waterside Street and New Street.’ So one thing that we can derive is the latter is definitely not in any way ‘New’!

The streets or alleys which branch off from the Main Street such as Manse Court, Bellman’s Close, Townhead Close and Waterside Street, all had ‘self-explanatory’ names, according to the contributor.

Aitken Street was described as a ‘straigtened and improved modern substitute for the old torturous lane’ called Piper Row.

Early in 1893 the Burgh Commissioners of Largs discussed a proposed scheme for a new street in the line of Boyd Street or Lade Street into Main Street. At subsequent meetings the proposal was narrowed down to the continuation of Boyd Street to Main Street, and a motion to make a straight street was carried. This motion was subsequently rescinded and for several years the “battle” raged between the ‘Straight Street’ Party and the ‘Piper Row Widening Party’.

Many long and stormy meetings are recorded. At a meeting in 1899, the Piper Row widening scheme was decided on by 5 votes to 3 and new plans were ordered to be prepared.

The re-naming of the street came up for discussion in April 1901 and again in May 1903. At both of these meetings it was decided not to alter the name Piper Row, New names suggested in these discussions were Trongate, Haco Street, King Street, Piper Avenue, Piper Quadrant, Arthur Street and Tron Street. A year or two later the re-naming of the street was again raised and then it got its present name of Aitken Street to perpetuate the name of the first Provost of Largs.

The origins of Frazer Street which leads off Aitken Street comes from a well known Largs family of many years ago.

The property at the Main Street end belonged to the family, who went on to have a garage, where Tesco Express and Superdrug are currently situated, and it was demolished in the 1950s to make way for Woolworths in 1960.

Frazer Street was originally known as Frazer’s Close, and Gas Close, on account of the old Largs Gas Company ereceting their gas works within its bounds.

The article in 1929 stated: “Another street in the embryonic condition bears the name of the most famous and eminent ever citizen the burgh ever had - Lord Kelvin.

“Brisbane Street and Road are apt enough names traversing as they do the estate of Brisbane, as it was owned by Sir Thomas Makdougal Brisbane; and to the same family is probably due the selection of the name Aubrey Crescent for the tenement of houses erected, in a great hurry, as tradition has it, when it was expected that the Wemyss Bay Railway would be extended to Largs about 60 years ago.

“Aubrey was one of the names of the daughter of Captain John William Brisbane, to whom Sir Thomas left the unentailed portion of his estate.

“The Captain was a brother of the late Brisabne of Brisbane’s family, and a son of Sir Charles Brisbane of the ‘Saucy Arethusa’ of the Napoloenic wars.” The article also stated that Broomfields ‘had recently been decorated with sectional names’. The area between Gogo Bridge and Castle Brae (which will explain the name Castle Hotel which was built in the 1930s), was given the name of Mackerston Place. It was ascertained that Mackerston was based in Roxburghshire, where Sir Thomas Brisbane’s estate was based, and hence the name.

Tron Place in Largs Town Centre may have referred to the name of the ancient weighing machines used in ancient markets - it was apparently a large pair of scales. But our correspondent suggested it was actually another Brisbane connection - as Sir Thomas’s local estate agent - Mr Boyd was sometimes designated ‘of Tron’, and he was familiarly knon as ‘Tron Boyd’ amongst the townspeople.