Largs - Nardinis to Vikingar

Navigating The Route

This is an effectively circular Treasure Hunt around Largs, from Nardinis to Vikingar, with Explorers helping The Exploration Society follow Laird Langshanks' clues around Largs and track down the hidden Viking sword.

The quest covers 1.75 miles and should take around 1.75 hours to complete. You'll begin at the pier, where the ferries leave for Cumbrae, then explore the town, station area, seafront and promenade before heading towards Vikingar, the RNLI station and the final square, finishing back in the town centre area.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. The route is along good ground overall, but there are no pavements in Gogo Street and the pavements can be narrow in one area.

Keep Mini Explorers close around the station - stay well away from the platform edge and off the tracks. Take extra care on Gogo Street, where there is no pavement, and along the busy road near the end.

Getting There

By car: Start the quest at the pier, where the ferries leave for Cumbrae (KA30 8BG). Park at Seafront car park (KA30 8LZ), then begin at the pier.

By public transport: Make your way to the pier where the ferries leave for Cumbrae, then gather your Explorers and begin the hunt for Laird Langshanks' hidden Viking sword.

Need the Loo?

Toilets are available at the station, so this is the key comfort-stop intel for your treasure-hunting crew.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome on this dog friendly Trail. 🐾

Tracker dogs should be supervised closely at the station. Keep dogs well away from the platform edge and off the tracks, and keep them close on Gogo Street, where there is no pavement, as well as near the busy road towards the end.

Food & Drink Stops

There are plenty of chances to stop for refreshments or stock up on snacks after Clue 08, so your Explorers should be able to refuel once the hunt is underway.

If you'd rather bring your own supplies, pack provisions to enjoy a picnic along the seafront after Clue 16.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Pencil Monument

This promenade landmark commemorates the Battle of Largs in 1263. It was erected in 1912 and gets its nickname from its giant pencil shape. The battle itself was rather less clear-cut than heroic legend might suggest - the fighting was actually inconclusive, with storms already battering King Haakon's fleet before the skirmish.

Haylie Chambered Cairn

For Explorers with a taste for properly ancient treasure, Haylie Chambered Cairn is the remains of a Neolithic communal tomb dating back around 5,600 years. It is older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, and excavations uncovered human remains, while earlier investigations revealed several stone chambers containing ancient bones.

Skelmorlie Aisle

Built in 1636, Skelmorlie Aisle was the private chapel and tomb of Sir Robert Montgomerie. It also comes with a suitably dramatic local legend: a warlock once summoned the Devil to attack him, but Montgomerie was so deeply absorbed in prayer that the Devil could not disturb him and gave up.

Vikingar

The route passes Vikingar near the end, taking Explorers up towards the front of the building and onto the grass in front of the longboat. It's a fitting stop for a quest chasing clues to a hidden Viking sword.

Kelburn Castle

At the southern end of Largs, Kelburn Castle is believed to be the oldest castle that has been inhabited by the same family. The De Boyvilles arrived here in 1140, after coming to Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066 - not a bad extra chapter for a day already packed with Viking echoes.