Day Out to Lower Largo

The village of Lower Largo is one of the most attractive of the East Neuk’s towns and villages. A real hidden gem with a story to tell and a great day out from Crail and Sandcastle Cottage.

Day Out to Lower Largo
The Harbour at Lower Largo and the Railway Viaduct

How to get there for your Day Out

By car take the A917 from Crail and follow the coast road to Lundin Links. Pass through Upper Largo and drive the down the hill. At the bottom the road takes a sharp turn to the right. A short distance along you will see a garage with cars parked outside. On the opposite side of the road is the turning for Lower Largo. Follow the road down until you see the old railway viaduct. A left turn will take you to the car park in the old station yard. There is another car park at the beach end however the streets are very narrow.

By Bus Stagecoach 95 to Leven stops in Lower Largo. Get of at the first bus stop as you pass under the old railway viaduct. For bus times click this link.

Robinson Crusoe

Lower Largo’s connection with Daniel Defoes’s fictional character Robinson Crusoe is well publicised. It is thought that Defoe based Crusoe on the 17th century mariner Alexander Selkirk who was a native of Lower Largo and resided in Main Street. The story goes that Selkirk fell out with his captain and was set ashore on the Island of Juan Fernandez in the Pacific. Selkirk lived alone on the island for 4 years before being rescued by a passing ship. Selkirk’s original cottage on Main Street no longer exists. However you will find a statue of Crusoe above a house built on what is thought to be the site of Selkirk’s cottage. If you would like to find out more about Alexander Selkirk click the link below.

https://www.welcometofife.com/inspire-me-post/alexander-selkirk—the-real-robinson-crusoe?fbclid=IwAR00ln40hNQ7PjK6r7a5va-FBSOQSxB38xr3ERSh4-JOa-7r_-8RZ7aoWHk

At the harbour you will find a sign telling you it is 7500 miles to Juan Fernandez Island.

Day Out to Lower largo
Statue of Robinson Crusoe in Main Street

Holiday Destination

On the opening of the railway in 1857 Lower Largo became a popular holiday destination. Holiday makers arrived from Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow attracted by the sandy beach and attractive fisherman’s cottages.

The railway is long gone, closing as part of the Beeching Cuts in 1965. However the viaduct across the Hatton Burn remains a distinctive feature today. I have tried to create that railway journey with the short film below which may be of interest.

A train journey to the East Neuk of Fife and the train passing through Lower Largo Station

Today the village is still a popular holiday destination for breaks by the sea or a day out.

The Fife Coastal Path a long distance walkway along the whole 117 mile Fife Coast passes through Lower Largo. The village is popular with walkers walking the section from Leven to Elie. Having done the Fife Coastal Path this section is one of my favourites as it includes a beach walk along Drumbarnie Beach and an excellent view of Elie from Kincraig Hill .

Crabs and lobsters are still landed at the harbour.

Main Street

As you walk along Main Street look out for the statue of Robinson Crusoe among the attractive fisherman’s cottages many of which are now holiday homes. Half way along look out for an unusual sculpture. The sculpture is named Malagan and was created by Alan Faulds who lives in the cottage opposite.

The name comes from Papua New Guinea however Alan got his inspiration on a trip to Lithuania from tall wooden roadside structures known as Roof Roles. The sculpture is carved from five sections of Scottish oak, some recycled oak floorboards and copper from a hot water cylinder. The finish is oil paint thinned with orange and linseed oils.

Day Out to Lower largo
The Malagan by Alan Faulds

At the end of Main Street is the beach and a car park with toilets. Further along the coastal path you will come to a large expanse of deserted beach stretching all the way to Shell Bay Caravan Park. This is a great beach walk at low tide.

If you are not feeling energetic then a walk along the beach at Lower Largo is recommended back towards the Crusoe Hotel and the harbour.

Day Out to Lower Largo
The beach at Lower largo

End your Day Out with Dinner at the Crusoe Hotel

Why not end your day out by dining in the evening at the Crusoe Hotel with A la Carte Menu and fresh locally sourced ingredients. Click on this link for more details.

I hope you will enjoy your visit to Lower Largo as much as I have done over the years.

Stay at Sandcastle Cottage Crail

If you would like to find out more about staying with us at Sandcastle Cottage then click on our website at www.2crail.com/look or if you would like to check availability and prices click on the book now button.

book it

We look forward to welcoming you to Sandcastle Cottage.

Blog updated January 2024

Anything to add?