The Burns Tavern
The Burns Tavern was located at the corner on the corner of Waterside Street and Main Street where the small car park is now directly in front of where the Fiddlers used to be. The photo top left is the Tavern in 1906, the left image is the same location today.
The entrance was in Waterside Street and attached to the Tavern was another building which had an opening to Townhead Close. We understand it was demolished in the early 1960s. The Burns Tavern was a pavement width from the main road and often politely described as a working man's pub.
Near the end of the Taverns's life Bunty Campbell owned the pub. She was described as always wearing a black cocktail dress with black high heels. Apparently she was a force to be reckoned with.The Eagle Inn
A long forgotten watering hole in Largs is the Eagle Inn. This was located in Gallowgate Street near where the Viking Chip shop is today. This photo is a copy from the original photo hanging on the wall of the Anchor pub. Thanks to Nivan for sharing.
The Fiddlers Bar and Night Club
The Fiddlers was originaly a one story building built by Alex Campbell, a local builder. He was involved in the construction of Millburn Gardens and redeveloped the old Glen Eldon Hotel was also involved in its management. The original building was his workshop and showroom. He eventually added the second floor and opened a new pub called the Tavern. In 1972 it was sold to the Macari family who ran the premise as a pub until 1980.
The Fiddlers was originaly a one story building built by Alex Campbell, a local builder. He was involved in the construction of Millburn Gardens and redeveloped the old Glen Eldon Hotel was also involved in its management. The original building was his workshop and showroom. He eventually added the second floor and opened a new pub called the Tavern. In 1972 it was sold to the Macari family who ran the premise as a pub until 1980.
During the Macari era the Tavern was often described as one of the best pubs in Ayrshire at that time with live music every Friday and Saturday night. Also popular was the disco with the music played by local D.J. Douglas Wraith. Eventually they sold the building to Largs Thistle F.C who ran the premises as their social club. In 1982 they sold the Tavern to Largs Businessman Millar Mills and the who ran the well-known Gordons dairy at the time. They were also in partnership with the McQueen family of Largs.
He invited the public to suggest a new name for the Tavern and admitted at the time he did not expect a great response. However the offer of a 40oz bottle of whiskey for the person proposing the selected name induced a tremendous flow of suggestions. After careful consideration of the many titles he picked the name "The Fiddlers" as the winning entry.
Mr Miller was quoted at the time saying "The Fiddlers is an appropriate name, short and quickly recognisable with the double meaning adding the essential humor." He proceeded to refurbish the upstairs of the building to provide a new function room area to host weeding receptions and private functions. He named the new area appropriately as "The Gordon Suite."The celebrated John Mason and members of the Scottish Fiddlers Orchestra were the special guests who christened the place. The winner of the competition and the whiskey was Mrs Johnston, 2 New Street, Largs.
Later the property was purchased by local businessman Quilly Clark who successfully ran the premises for 25 years until it was sold on to the adjacent Pearson's Garage who are extending their car display area. This marked the end of an era for many Largs youngsters growing up in Largs. A night at the Fidds was enjoyed for generations of Largs youngsters. The tradition of standing at the back door of Andersons the Bakers waiting for a freshly baked hot pie roll after the Fiddlers was a much loved tradition and memory for many.
During this period the ground floor Fiddlers Pub was converted into 'Oceans' area which was used for private functions and has a capacity for 210, and had a half-moon shaped bar, dance floor, DJ booth along with finished seating areas and lighting. The upper 'Fiddlers' floor of the property is the main trading area and has a capacity for 170. The Fiddlers was eventually demolished in Feburary 2020. This area along with the garage next door is the location for a new M&S food store.The August 1982 edition of the wee paper announces the arrival of the Fiddlers
