# St Columba's College, Largs

St Columba's College was an independent, preparatory Marist college in Largs, Ayrshire. It served as a (boarding and fee-paying) prep school feeder for Catholic boarding schools throughout the United Kingdom with links to St. Joseph's College, Dumfries and Ampleforth. The school closed in 1982.

## History

St Columba's College was an independent, preparatory college founded by the Marist Brothers in 1920. The school was small, with total numbers never being above 50 boys. Consisting of 33 boarders and 15–17-day boys. Landour House had originally been purchased as a holiday home for the Marist Brothers. It served as a (boarding and fee-paying) preparatory school feeder for Catholic boarding schools throughout the United Kingdom with links to St. Joseph's College, Dumfries and Ampleforth College. A number of local day boys would travel to Glasgow daily to continue their education after leaving, typically attending St. Mungo's Academy or St. Aloysius' College. Emphasis was on religious instruction and character building. There was much insistence on discipline, which was very strict. Achievement and academic standards were high.
There were various headmasters in charge including Brother Ralph. Brother Nicholas (who later left the Brothers to get married). Brother Nicholas is mentioned as part of a 'holy fourball' of golfers (given his golfing skills) in "Sam", the autobiography of golfer Sam Torrance, who was a member of Routenburn Golf Club, situated above and adjacent to the school. The various headmasters kept up the tradition of devotion to the Marist cause for the love of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose statue was to be found on the steep upwards walkway towards the golf course and hills above Largs.
An ethos of severity instigated under headmaster Brother Urban, a lack of innovation, falling school roll and an inability to recruit able graduates from the Marist order all contributed to the college's decline.
The school closed in 1981 and the main buildings were subsequently sold to property developer Tay. Who then sold the two properties to Barratt Homes in 1989. Landour house constructed in 1840 was demolished to make way for ten family homes built by Barratt Homes. Northfield house (constructed 1840) was retained as the subjects is protected and listed as Category B building. Eight family homes were built within the grounds of Northfield by Barratt. The land and homes is now known as Northfield Park, Largs.

## Campus

The original school building, 'Landour House' built in 1840 and sited at 118 Greenock Road. The neighbouring house, 'Northfield' 1840 listed as Category 'B' was purchased by the school in 1968. Refurbished and operational as classrooms and residential accommodation for the Marist Brothers for the year 1969-1970.
The school playing fields on the shore side of Greenock Road were redeveloped for housing prior to the school closure. Consisting of eight homes constructed of period style circa 1980.
Landour House was demolished following the closure of the school, while Northfield was converted into flatted accommodation. The grounds of both houses circa 1989-1990 and the school playing fields circa 1980 were subsequently developed for housing. The Landour name is no longer used, however Northfield Park takes its name from the remaining building and Boathouse Road, Drive and Avenue recall the old boathouse which is sited on the shore side of Greenock Road close to the end of Boathouse Drive.
An original cottage beside the site of the old boathouse no longer remains. It was used, for a time, as the Matron's accommodation until 1963.

## Former staff
### Headmasters

* Brother Nilaus (1940's)
* Brother Urban
* Brother Cyprian Edwards (1957–?1958)
* Brother Ralph
* Brother Eustice 1966-1967
* Brother Arthur (1967-1969)
* Brother 'Nicholas' Fergus Welsh (1970-1976) (1932-2011)
* Brother Arthur (1976-1981)
* Deputy Headmaster
Brother 'Douglas' Robert Welsh (1975-1976) (1941-2022)

### Teaching staff

* Brother Aloysius
* Brother Nilaus
* Brother Robert Lee
* Brother Philip
* Brother Colin
* Brother Eustace
* Brother Joseph
* Brother Antoninus
* Brother Austin
* Brother Francis
* Brother Daniel
* Brother Charles
* Brother Douglas Welsh
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

### Other

* Frank Byrne (Cook)