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Largs Pencil Beach

(Largs South Beach)

North Ayrshire, Scotland


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Largs, a seaside resort town in Scotland, boasts several small sandy beaches, including Pencil Beach, a charming and historic bay with a unique character. .

Largs is situated on the Firth of Clyde and serves as the departure point for ferries to the Isle of Cumbrae. The town has a mild climate and is home to several small sandy beaches, including Pencil Beach.

Pencil Beach is a small, shallow bay approximately 300 metres in length, located at the southern end of Largs. The beach is a mix of sand, grass, and pebble, with rocky outcrops scattered throughout. The bay slopes gently into the sea, offering stunning views of the Firth of Clyde and, on clear days, the Little Cumbrae and Great Cumbrae islands.

Adjacent to the beach is a strip of land that is home to the Pencil Monument, which commemorates the Battle of Largs in 1263. This historic event saw a group of locals attack Norwegian ships sheltering in the bay from storms. Although the outcome of the battle is unclear, it marked a significant turning point in history, contributing to the withdrawal of Viking raiders from the Scottish Isles.

Visitors to Largs can enjoy a range of activities and attractions, including the Viking Festival in early September, which features mock skirmishes, fireworks, and Viking-themed events. The award-winning Viking Centre is also a must-visit, offering interactive displays about Viking everyday life, a themed children's play area, and an indoor swimming pool. For those looking to explore the area, a car park and Largs Marina are located south of the beach.

Largs Pencil Beach is adjacent to the Ayrshire Coastal Path.

Harbour Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 100%
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 14°C
Wind 18mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 98%
Min temperature 10°C
feels like 12°C
Wind 19mph

The tide at Largs Pencil Beach is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 9:04 AM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 3:37 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Largs Pencil Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Kelburn Castle and Country Centre (1 miles)
Go-Go Bus Private Day Tours (1 miles)
Lounge (1.2 miles)
Geraldo's (1.2 miles)
Largs Sea Front (1.3 miles)
Vikingar! (1.5 miles)
Cathedral of the Isles (3.1 miles)
Mapes Of Millport (3.3 miles)
On Your Bike! Millport (3.4 miles)

Places to eat near Largs Pencil Beach

Scotts at Largs (110 yards)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Largs

Location type: Village

OS Grid: NS208576

Coordinates: 55°46'42"N 4°51'31"W

Mapcode: GBR 31.8SM6

What 3 Words: stood.dawn.jukebox

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: North Ayrshire

Nearest postcode: KA30 8HA

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Largs Pencil Beach, North Ayrshire, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 06:33:11 +0100