The Viking Cinema is one of the much missed architectural gems of Largs... and the current Earl of Glasgow led an effort in the early 1980s to try and save the cinema from being lost to the town forever.

Based near the junction with Gogoside Road, it was the go to place for the movie flicks of the 1940s to the early 1970s - from Disney movies to the latest James Bond films.

When it was opened, the Viking Cinema fast gained prominence with national newspaper coverage - and it was loved by the locals.

It's opening was reported about in the Largs and Millport Weekly News in June 1939 which revealed the origins of the beautiful Viking longship front entrance which used to grace the art-deco cinema.

We reported: "One of the contracts for the new Viking at Largs went to a Gourock firm of yacht builders James Adam & Son.

"It was for the prow of Hacon's galley, which forms a delightful atmospheric feature of the entrance of the Viking. It stands about 12 feet high with a beam of 10 feet , and is erected in a pool of water.

"Mr James Houston, the Glasgow and Kilbirnie architect, bubbles with original ideas. Everyone in Largs is intrigued by the novel touches in the designing of the Viking."

Mr James Houston, one of the directors, ruled out the local suggestion that tea gardens were to be a feature of the place.

He said: "We have given over all available space to car park space accommodating 80 cars. We have no intention of competing with other traders in the town."

The Viking opened with 1300 seats, and during the summer season, the programme was to be changed twice weekly, commencing daily at 2.30pm but from October to May, there would be thrice weekly change, with evening shows only. Prices were first set at 6d and 1s.

The rise of colour television was given as one of the reasons behind the demise of the Viking cinema in Largs which closed its doors in 1973.

The current Earl of Glasgow Patrick Boyle led a brave effort to try and save The Viking and have it re-opened as a luxury cinema in the early 1980s but there was not enough financial support to get the project off the ground.

It was Patrick's grandfather who opened the Gogoside Street venue in 1939. At the end of the war, the cinema was brought by Mr George Palmer, whose firm Associated GP Cinemas, eventually owned a chain of some 30 picture houses. He had already bought Largs Picture Pavilion in Stanlane Place, and Largs Picture House in Waterside Street.

During its heyday, Mr Palmer had the greatest affection for the Viking Cinema which he described as 'the jewel in the crown' and when any new cinematic improvements came along, such as the widescreen or a new sound system, the Viking would get it installed first amongst his cinemas.