Robinson Crusoe Island

Alexander Selkirk, from the small village of Largo in Scotland, was put ashore on the Island of Santa Clara, now known as Robinson Crusoe Island, in 1704 and lived there on his own for over four years. The writer Daniel Defoe met Selkirk later and based his novel Robinson Crusoe on Selkirk’s true story.

In 2004 Largo was officially twinned with the island when the Chilean Ambassador to London came to Largo to cement the link.

Being so closely connected with Largo (I used to represent the village on the local Council) I saw it as a great opportunity to visit the island when Fred.Olsen decided to include a call there during their cruise ship Black Watch's 2010 circumnavigation of South America. Included in my group was Ian Deas, a direct descendant of Selkirk. During our visit to the island we met the Mayor to renew the twinning arrangement and presented to him various items from Largo, including letters of greeting from the children of the local primary school.

Three days after our visit, a tsunami caused by the Chilean earthquake, struck the island. A five metre wave wiped out more than half the settlement, including the school, the generating station, the municipal building, the museum and many homes. Twelve people were killed.

Largo Area Community Council and the Largo Churches have set up an appeal to help the island and in particular to assist with the rebuilding of the school. To assist with this we would welcome any donations by cheque made payable to “Largo Twinning Association” and sent to:

Peter Aitken
Chairman,
Largo Area Community Council,
“Dykeside”
55 Largo Road,
Lundin Links,
Leven,
Fife. KY8 6DH.
Scotland

THANK YOU