A historic discovery of a drainage system that could date back to the 1700s has been unearthed during the Fort Street ferry queue works.

And News readers are not seeing things. 

The Viking Galley monument on Fort Street has altered course to true North to improve access at the new ferry traffic vehicles. 

She successfully completed the manoeuvre this week with the helmsman supplied by WI & Gilbert of Dalry.

But during the works, an interesting discovery was made.

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Largs reader Archie Burleigh revealed that old drainage discovered underneath dates back to historic times in the old town long before it was busy with traffic.

Archie said: "The ferry traffic queuing system works have encountered some very old drainage structures at the west side of the junction of Main Street and Gallowgate Street.

"There is a rectangular culvert probably circa mid 18th or early 19th Century with stone sides and roof. 

"The location is where a smaller similar culvert joins from the junction of Main Street and Gallowgate Street outside Costa Coffee.

"The smaller culvert probably ran up the Main Street as far as the Chanty Dyke.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Chanty Dyke existed until the late 1800sChanty Dyke existed until the late 1800s (Image: Newsquest)

"The larger culvert heads north westerly down towards the shore next to the ferry slipway. 

"I understand the whole route of the larger culvert is to be excavated and the top roof are slabs to be exposed to check for strength and replaced if necessary or a new slab built on top."

The 'Chanty Dyke' landmark bordered Main Street and Aitken Street - and features in old postcards and aerial photos of the town.

The enclosure was used to pen animals which were in transit and from the ships at the pier or awaiting movement to the local abbatoir - and it was demolished in 1894.

And the name Chanty Dyke has been kept very much alive and is the name of the traditional Largs music band which have been performing locally for 50 years - including at a St Andrew's Day SNP fundraiser for the Largs Foodbank.

North Ayrshire Council have appointed a contractor to deliver improvement works at Largs affecting the ferry queue area. 

Works have commenced for a period of approximately three weeks and will result in a need for the ferry queue to be curtailed and managed on-site. 

The works will consist of creating an additional queuing lane (6 cars), footway widening, and establishing crossing points to better manage active travel flow

Also taking place is the removal of coach drop off point – coaches will be encouraged to use existing bus stop provision as drop off/pick up only

There will also be measures introduced to manage the right turning ferry traffic from Bath Street.