Pencil Beach (Largs)

Pencil Beach is a small, shallow bay around 300 metres in length.  It is found at the southern end of the seaside resort town of Largs, which is known for its mild climate.

The beach is a mix of sand, grass and pebble, interspersed with rocky outcrops.  The bay, which slopes gently into the sea, has views over the Firth of Clyde, and on clear days there are good views of Little Cumbrae and Great Cumbrae islands.

A strip of land adjacent to the beach is home to the Pencil Monument, which commemorates the Battle of Largs in 1263, when a group of locals attacked Norwegian ships sheltering here from storms.  Although it is not exactly clear who won the battle, the event seems to have played a significant part in history and marked the beginning of the withdrawal of Viking raiders from the Scottish Isles.  The town holds a Viking Festival in early September, with mock skirmishes, fireworks and other Viking-themed events.  The award- winning Viking Centre in the town makes a good rainy day destination and houses interactive displays about the Viking everyday life, a themed, children’s play area and indoor swimming pool.

South of the beach lies a car park and Largs Marina.