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The Pencil at Largs, a tall round stone tower with a pointed top on the shore under a bright blue sky.
Ayrshire

The Pencil, Largs

A tall round tower on the shore south of Largs, built in 1912 to mark the Battle of Largs of 1263.

Welcome

At the south end of the promenade in Largs, on a small point near the marina, stands a tall round stone tower with a sharp pointed top.

Everyone calls it the Pencil, and some remember it as the Needle.

It was built in 1912 to mark the Battle of Largs of 1263, when the Scots turned back the forces of King Haco of Norway on this shore. An information board beside it tells the story.

The walk out along the shore from the town is a pleasant one, with views over the Firth of Clyde, and the Pencil is free to visit at any time. Each year it is the focus of the Largs Viking Festival, which ends with fireworks at the monument.

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The Daily for 28 October, from Scotland with love. The same waterfall seen closer, its churning white water framed by orange and red autumn foliage.
Not farThe Parlour, BrodickA little pizzeria and ice cream parlour on Brodick's shore road, baking stone-baked, hand-thrown pizzas and serving Arran ice cream.18 milesSee itThe Parlour, Brodick
Before you go

Open at all times, and free.

Where
South end of the promenade, Largs.
Built
1912.
Marks
The Battle of Largs, 1263.

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Where it is

At the south end of the Largs promenade, near the marina, KA30 8EZ.

Close byLargs.
  1. Nardini'sNardini'sIce cream on the front.2 miles 5 min by road
  2. Kelburn CastleKelburn CastleA painted castle above Fairlie.2 miles 5 min by road
  3. Vikingar, LargsVikingar, LargsThe Viking story told.2 miles 7 min by road
  4. West Kilbride, Craft Town ScotlandWest Kilbride, Craft Town Scotland6 miles 11 min by road
  5. The ruin of Toward Castle from the air: its ivy-covered tower and the roofless walls of the courtyard among spring woods, the Firth of Clyde blue beyond.Toward CastleThe ruined tower house of the Lamont chiefs on the Toward shore of Cowal, raised around 1475 and left in ruins by the Campbells in 1646.8 miles as the crow flies
  6. The view from the Ardyne hillside over young birch and spruce to the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Bute across the water and the peaks of Arran on the skyline under a big sky of white cloud.Ardyne TrailForestry and Land Scotland's waymarked hill loop at Ardyne, in the Argyll Forest Park.9 miles as the crow flies
Directions
Ivy-covered stone building with red doors and picnic benches on cobblesAttractionsDalgarven Mill13 miles
The front of Ambience on Victoria Street, Rothesay, under its blue awning.RestaurantsAmbience Café15 miles
The white shopfront of Musicker on Rothesay's High Street, its name on a green sign above the windows.CafeMusicker15 miles
The Kettledrum café on its corner in Rothesay, a red shopfront with CAFE in white letters above the door.CafeKettledrum Café15 miles
Display cases of birds and finds in Bute Museum's hall.AttractionsBute Museum15 miles
The castle walls reflected in the moat.AttractionsRothesay Castle15 miles
Rothesay's seafront terraces rising above the bay.AttractionsRothesay Town15 miles
The roofless gable of St Mary's Chapel among the graves.AttractionsSt Mary’s Chapel16 miles
Rothesay Castle's round walls behind its moat.AttractionsIsle of Bute17 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the monument, and when each is next free.

A grey corner sofa with cushions and a sheepskin throw sits before a shelf of books and a round mirror, a wood burning stove and log store to the right.Talli House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Dunlop
  • 15 miles from the Pencil
Free 11–13 JanGlenstriven House, a white Victorian house with grey stone corners, at the top of a gravel drive between lawns, with a wooded hill behind.Glenstriven House
  • Sleeps 15
  • In Ayrshire
  • 15 miles from the Pencil
Free 29–31 OctThe Hollies, Argyll and ButeThe Hollies
  • Sleeps 18
  • In Tighnabruaich
  • 17 miles from the Pencil
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in AyrshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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