The Selkirk Celebrations

What a week. What’s coming next.

 

 

Published 26 August 2026

This week Largo has shown up in numbers that matter. Three events. Over 530 people through the doors. A community paying attention to its own story.

What just happened

The Flotilla

The flotilla sailed into Largo Bay on Sunday 23 August to a massive turnout. If you were there, you saw it. If you missed it, the footage is worth watching. The Reaper, a historic herring drifter from the Scottish Fisheries Museum, came in under sail with a flotilla of boats. It was a rare sight with sparkly seas and lots of happy people on the shore.

Thank you to Hamish Redpath for the fantastic drone video

 

Watch footage of the Reaper arriving

The Book Launch

The book launch on 22 August brought Ronnie Graham and over 80 people to The Aurrie Mor to hear the real story of Alexander Selkirk. Ronnie’s research cuts through three centuries of myth and legend. Robinson Crusoe became so famous that the real man behind the story got lost. Working from the available evidence, Ronnie brings Selkirk to life and asks the questions that matter: who was he really? Hero, anti-hero, or skellum? Three hundred and fifty years after his birth in Lower Largo, we sat together and learned some of what actually happened.

There are still copies of the book available at the Aurrie Mor during exhibition week or directly from the publisher.

The Largo Heritage Group has counted over 530 visitors through the doors at the Aurrie Mor so far. Artifacts, maps, pictures and the real history on show. The exhibition runs until Saturday 29 August, open every day from 10am to 4pm.

Was one of them you? We would love to know what you thought and whether it has changed your opinion on Alexander Selkirk. Send your feedback and ideas to [email protected].

If you haven’t been, there’s still time.

This weekend and next

Saturday 29 August, 3pm, Montrave Hall

Ukrainian Amateur Theatre presents Robinson Crusoe

A bold new interpretation told through modern rhythms, vivid costume and dynamic performance. Three hundred and fifty years after Alexander Selkirk was born just in Lower Largo, the castaway story comes home in an unexpected voice. Staged by a company whose members know something about being far from home, it gives the familiar story another layer of meaning.

This is a one-off performance. It will be in English. It’s worth your time and your support will be greatly appreciated.

Tickets are available through TicketSource with a range of optional donation levels, so you can choose what works for your circumstances. Every level gets you the same seat and the same welcome and no one will know what you paid. The suggested donations go towards bringing this production to Largo and supporting the theatre company. Numbers matter for them, so if you’re thinking about it, get yours now rather than waiting.

Book your tickets to Robinson here. 

A huge thank you to those who have booked so far.

Saturday 29 August, 10am, Lower Largo beach

Sandcastle Competition

A community competition for all ages. Bring buckets, spades and imagination. We can’t promise the weather will be conducive, but we can definitely hope.

Saturday 29 August, 10am-12pm, Ruddon’s Point

Big Forth Cleanup

Friends of Largo Bay are hosting a beach clean at Ruddon’s Point as part of the Big Forth Cleanup weekend. Help protect the Firth of Forth’s marine ecosystems and keep our local coastline clean. This is Scotland’s biggest ever weekend beach clean, aiming to clean nearly 130 kilometres of coastline across the Firth of Forth in three days.

Where to meet: The path leading to the beach at Ruddon’s Point car park. Access via Elie Holiday Park. Look for volunteers in hi-vis vests and feather flags.

What to bring: Gloves (if you have them), water to drink, dress for the weather.

Who’s welcome: Families and dogs welcome.

Before you come: Please review the safety guidelines at www.balancedhorizon.org/big-forth-cleanup/safety-and-participation-guidelines/

Questions: Contact Balanced Horizon at [email protected] or [email protected]

Sunday 30 August, 1 pm, Upper Largo Cricket Club

The Selkirk Sixes. Four clubs, one champion.

Largo Heritage Society is hosting a six-a-side cricket tournament where four local sports clubs play for the chance to become champion. Lundin Golf Club, Lundin Sports Club, Badminton Club, and Largo Bay Sailing Club will go head-to-head.

Six players per team. Five overs per innings. A four counts as six runs. A six counts as ten runs. Six round-robin matches followed by a final that will settle it.

This is the kind of afternoon that makes for good stories afterwards. Bring a chair, bring friends, bring your appetite.

BBQ on site (cash only). BYOB. Parking at the church stables. Whether you know cricket or not, it’s worth coming along to see four local clubs competing for bragging rights on their home turf and it’s the perfect way to round off what is an eventful week.

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, Simpson Institute, Upper Largo

Largo & Newburn Horticultural Society 150th Anniversary Annual Flower Show

2pm to 4pm Saturday. 2pm to 5pm Sunday.

This is 150 years of the society’s work on show. Exhibits of Flowers, Vegetables, Home Produce, and Arts & Crafts. Tea, coffee and home baking available both days. Tombola and Raffle.

Categories: Produce (home baking, preserves), Handicrafts (knitting, cards, photographs, pencil drawing, cushion covers, and more), Fruit, Vegetables, and Flowers. Special sections for first time entrants.

Entry forms: Download the Schedule first to find your category, then download the entry form and follow the steps.

Admission: £2. Refreshments £3. Cash only.

If you just want to come for a cup of tea and a chat, entry is the same price and you’re welcome.

Other events this week

Wednesday 26 August – Selkirk Island Discs
The Aurrie Mor, 7pm for 7:30pm. SOLD OUT just a reminder to come along if you have a ticket. Local personalities sharing stories and music, Desert Island Discs style, talking about what they’d take if cast away. Cash bar available.

Thursday 27 August – Railway Inn Quiz
The Railway Inn. 9pm. The regular quiz gets a Selkirk 350 twist with a special round devoted to Alexander Selkirk.

Friday 28 August – Storytelling with Elizabeth Black
The Library, Lundin Links, 10:30am. Free, just turn up. Perfect if you’ve got little ones. Elizabeth brings stories to life and there’s no booking needed.

Get involved

We really encourage you to support the work of the Largo Heritage Group by coming along to these events and please do share them. This is a rare chance to celebrate Largo’s most famous son and bring the castaway story home.

If you want to be involved in the Heritage Group going forward, we would love to have you. Please email [email protected].

The full range of events are listed on largoct.org.uk/events. The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther will also host a special Alexander Selkirk anniversary exhibition from December 2026.

---

As always, this is just a taste of what’s happening across the villages. For the full picture, visit largoct.org.uk/events, and if you have something you’d like us to share, we’d love to hear from you. Just get in touch.