Ayrshire - Rare snap of Largs town centre from over 100 years ago

The photo was taken in July 1910 and was handed into the Largs and Millport News.

It is a vastly different scene from nowdays with no traffic to be seen - with bare footed boys standing around in the Main Street, while there isn't even any sign of any horse and cart.

It was a major year for news in the area with the first ever cinema opening in the town in Stanlane Place - and was called The Electric Picture Pavilion, the Masonic Lodge in Frazer Street, and the infamous Great Storm which destroyed the wooden bridge over the Gogo at Mackerston.

Opening of masonic lodge in 1910 (Image: Newsquest)

The important crossing point to Mackerston had to be rebuilt - and a temporary bridge was put in place in the meantime.

There was severe flooding in the town centre, as far up as Bellman's Close in the Main Street. 

Shocked onlookers examine the damage of the bridge collapse (Image: Newsquest)

A historic map from 1910 shows a number of forgotten landmarks, including the former Marine and Curling Hall Hotel in Largs when they were divided, an abattoir and Brisbane House, the former residence of the governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane.

Before the days of tv and radio, Bailie Archibald Boyd read the Proclamation of the Accession of King George V on May 10 1910. The Bailie was joined on the podium, based in Hyndman Green, is Mr Peter Morris, the Town Clerk.

And a short distance away on the Isle of Bute, history was being made as Andrew Blain Baird, a humble blacksmith and son of Bute, who, in September 1910, achieved the “first all-Scottish heavier-than-air powered flight” in a short flight in an aeroplane of his own construction.