This rare colour video footage shows a young Queen Elizabeth 2 and Prince Philip visiting Largs in 1958.

The one minute clip show the Royal couple visiting Cairnie's Quay at Largs seafront, before leaving Largs Railway Station by royal train.

Both the Queen and Prince Philip look relaxed walking along Broomfields, with the Marine and Curlinghall Hotel, one of the most popular hotels in the west of Scotland, featuring in the background, but is now sadly demolished.

One of the lucky members of the public who managed to get a close up view of Her Royal Highness on her visit to the town was Sarah Goldie, who remembers the Queen 'glowing' in her limousine as the royal entourage arrived on a spectacular summer's day.

Sarah, a former English teacher at Largs Academy and a long term member of the Largs and District Historical Society, recalled how Largs was bedecked with colourful flags and bunting in celebration for the Queen and Prince Philip's arrival in the town.

She said: "My parents supported the Queen, and Empire Day was always a big celebration in Largs.

"The Royal family was well supported back then. We had various flag displays above our door for the Brisbane Queen festival, Empire Day, and the Queen's visit to Largs. 

"When the Queen was coming to open Inverclyde Sports Centre, even though she wasn't going up and down our street, all the houses were wanting to put on the show.

"My mother insisted on having her flags up, and I couldn't stop her! They did likewise at Largs Railway Station where they rolled out the red carpet."

A massive welcome sign banner was also erected on the entrance to Largs at the north end of the town for the royal arrival by limousine.

Sarah said: "There was a formal opening of Inverclyde Sports Centre and Prince Philip donated a dinghy to the sports centre. They launched it and named it at Cairnie's Quay and I went to that.

"If you go down the foot of John Street, there is a little bit of tarmacadam leading down to Cairnie's Quay and that was for the Queen to get down there, and that was called the Queen's Walk.

"It is mostly covered up by grass now as it was only a thin layer. The Queen's face positively glowed in the car. That was the first time I was so close to her. She looked so fantastic.

"There was a crowd up at Inverclyde lining the road - I remember seeing the crowds walking up to see her."

The footage was filmed on cine film by Largs man Mr Fred J Thomson.