The Jewel in the Clyde An introduction to the magical isle of Great Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland
In just 8.5 mins by ferry from the mainland you Only 10.25 miles in circumference (by road) yet it includes: - Europe’s smallest cathedral - House with the smallest frontage (Guinness Record) - Scotland’s National Watersports Centre - Two museums and an aquarium
can land on an island where time stands still...
- Safe, sandy beaches, shops, cafes, restaurants, an 18 hole golf course, bowling greens, over 1000 bikes for hire, indoor and outdoor amusements, play parks, safe moorings and much, much more...
Millport’s very own “Crocodile Rock” is sure to be a hit with children of all ages. Climbing over it is just one of the pleasurable memories kids will take back home after a visit to Millport. There’s lots of things for kids to do on the Isle of Cumbrae. There’s play parks, outdoor and indoor amusements and, during the summer, watch out for the special fun events which are organised. A colony of around
50 grey seals can be seen basking on the Eilans (the two small islands in the bay) throughout the year and the many rock pools offer an abundance of opportunities for exploration. A free Rock Pool Guide and a guide to the many species of bird life around the island are available (see www.millport.org to download).
With it’s safe, sandy beaches and rocky coves, the island is perfect for watersports. Whether it’s sailing, canoeing, wind surfing, swimming or just paddling at the edge, there’s fun to be had for all ages and levels of experience. For those who want to learn a seafaring skill, Scotland’s National Watersports Centre on the island offers courses from the basic right through to Ocean Yachtmaster level.
The annual Sail & Oar Festival; The Millport Country & Western Festival; Millport Raft Race and the September Weekend with it’s spectacular fireworks display, provide fun and entertainment for all ages, even if you only want to spectate.
Sit back in the relaxing surroundings of Kames Bay, and you can unwind and see six islands... It’s a much painted and photographed scene but perhaps best sampled by walking across the wide expanse of sand or paddling in the water. Around the island there are many places to stop off and relax, from sandy beaches to rocky coves with each bend in the road offering a different vista. The island benefits from it’s own
Wee Cumbrae, Arran, the Holy Isle and Ailsa Craig (far left) and the two Eilans in the bay. micro-climate and is often in full sunshine while it’s raining in Glasgow.
What better way to see the beauty of the islands of the Clyde than from the deck of the “Waverley�. A marvel of Victorian engineering, providing a variety of cruises in the summer months, she offers a glimpse into an age of design excellence and of grace and elegance. Watch the massive pistons and cams of the engine in action and experience the excitement as her paddle wheels speed her through the waters of the Firth
Let the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer transport you back to the Victorian era. of Clyde. Her summer cruising schedule includes regular visits to Largs and Millport and offers an opprtunity to take in the unique scenery of the lochs and islands of the Clyde.To see her itinerary for this year check out her schedule at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
Millport’s 18 hole golf course and its Bowling Club with three greens and a putting green are open to the public.
Offering breathtaking views as it climbs upwards to the top of the island, the golf course looks over to the Islands of Bute and Arran with the Cowal Peninsula behind. And you don’t have to be a golfer to enjoy the Club restaurant. Open all year round, it has a fantastic menu to match the courses magnificent views. For the less serious golfer the putting green at the Bowling Club and the Crazy Golf courses on the promenade offer fun for all ages.
No matter how you decide to come to the Island, by ferry, your own boat or canoe, or even by seaplane, you will find a friendly welcome.
The trip round the coast road is just 10.25 miles and is mostly flat with spectacular vistas around every corner. For the more adventurous, the highest point on Cumbrae (417ft) offers a full panorama of the Firth of Clyde and on a clear day you can also see the mountains of Jura in the distance. When the wind is right, the waters around the island provide ideal conditions for wind surfing by sail-board or kite.
Wherever you are on the island you’re only a stones throw from the sea and there are many places to stop off and have a picnic, coffee, lunch or just an ice cream. The town of Millport faces south with the view from the prom looking down the Clyde to Ailsa Craig, and the scene framed by the Ayrshire coast to the left and Arran to the right. On the west of the Island are numerous rocky coves and Fintry Bay (pictured), overlooking Bute, Arran and the Cowal penninsula, offers a natural stopping point. To the north, a picnic spot at White Bay provides a view up the Clyde to watch passing cruise ships en route to and from Gourock. To the east side, and looking to the hills behind Largs, the ferry pier (with toilets) can provide another stopping point and, for those on foot, an opportunity to catch a bus back to Millport.
The Island of Great Cumbrae now has a new name which is known internationally. In the teenage fiction book “Hollow Earth” and the follow up “Bone Quill” recently launched by John and Carole E Barrownan it has been transformed into Auchinmurn Island and is the scene of an amazing series of exciting adventures. The books are fast paced and a great read for teenagers and adults alike.
“When we were children, our gran, Murn, and her sister, our Auntie Jeannie (yes, same as the housekeeper in Hollow Earth) would bring us to Largs and Cumbrae for the day during our summer holidays. From the moment we’d step onto the island, we felt transported into our own adventure story. We always ended the day with a wafer or a 99 on the beach. When we were brainstorming settings for Hollow Earth, Cumbrae was at the top of our list. The island is steeped in nostalgia for us and it’ll always have a special place in our imaginations.” John and Carole Barrowman 2012 on how Cumbrae inspired their book Hollow Earth.
Buy your copy from newsagents on the island
“The Island of a thousand bicycles” is how Cumbrae is often described, and for good reason. With over 1000 bicycles of all sizes available, at the most competitive rates in the country, from three bike hire shops on the Island - all your cycling needs will be fulfilled. There are bikes of all shapes and sizes on offer including tricyles for kiddies and adults, tandems, tagalongs, bikes with kiddiecabs, and you can even take your dog along, safely strapped in to a specialised dog trailer. A seven seater ‘conference bike’ and a ‘quad’ bike add to the fun for all the family. For your own safety please remember remember to follow the highway code when cycling on roads.
The town of Millport provides a wide range of shops, eating establishments and licensed premises and, in the centre of town, Garrison House includes a library, museum, cafĂŠ and medical centre. There is also a small hospital on the island.
The CalMac ferry from Largs to the island operates every 15 minutes during the summer season and every 30 minutes during the rest of the year. The bus service meets every ferry and can whisk you in to Millport town in just a few minutes. Here are just a few other reasons to make the Isle of Cumbrae your ‘must visit’ destination this year...
Peace & Tranquillity...
For stunning views and peaceful settings, the Isle of Cumbrae is second to none. It is a paradise for those who enjoy nature with seals in the bay, porpoises off the shore, polecats, slow worms and rare orchids to be seen throughout the year. The Cathedral of the Isles offers a tranquil setting for meditation and reflection and around the island there are many locations to while away the hours in painting, photography, reading or just relaxing.
It’s the perfect place to forget about the pressures of life, go back in time to an earlier era and just unwind.
Perfect for Kids...
With its safe beaches and open spaces, Millport is an attraction for kids of all ages. There are rock pools to explore, toy shops, bikes to hire and cafÊs for food & refreshments. Don’t forget to visit our two museums, the Museum of the Cumbraes in Garrison House and the Robertson Museum at the Field Studies Centre (formerly the Marine Research Station), which also houses a fascinating aquarium & exhibition.
Watch out for summer events for kids.
Walk, Run or Cycle, it’s just 10.25 miles
Hire a bike when you arrive or bring one with you, the Island is a biker’s paradise. Take the circular route around the shore and it is almost all flat and just over ten miles. Refreshments can be had at Fintry Bay and the National Watersports Centre on the way round. Cumbrae is also the base for many “Round the Island” charity walks, runs and cycle events each year and an annual Scooter rally. Look out for the events guide on the tourism web site for details.
Your choice - take it easy and stick to the low roads or work off the calories in a run to the highest point (417ft).
Outdoor Paradise... :
Scotland’s National Watersports Centre is based on the Island and offers a wide variety of courses by the day or week and has a gym for public use. Canoeists, sailors, wind surfers all make use of the great variety of water space around Cumbrae. For Geocaching enthusiasts there are over 20 trails which can offer a great way to explore the island while enjoying the scenery and the added excitement of achieving a goal.
There are trails to follow, beaches to explore, hills to climb, wildlife to observe and marvellous views to enjoy .
Something for everyone... An early masterpiece of William Butterfield, the beautiful Cathedral of the Isles built in 1851, is the UK’s smallest. It is open daily to visitors and the Sunday concert series ‘Music for a Summer Afternoon’ is very popular. The College which is attached offers accommodation and is ideal for quiet holidays, retreats and parish groups. The town offers a variety of Cafés, a Bistro, amusements, restaurants, shops, hotels, B&Bs and pubs. Sea fishing is excellent from the shore on Cumbrae and fly fishing is available in two well stocked lochs, while sea fishing from your own or a chartered boat can provide excellent rewards.
Victorian Town...
Garrison House
Built in 1745 by Capt Crawford to house himself and the crew of the “Royal George” Revenue Cutter, Garrison House was extended in the 19th & 20th centuries and now houses a library, museum, courtyard café, local council office and a full medical centre. The town retains much of the charm of the heyday of seaside resorts in the Victorian era and the views from the prom are nothing short of stunning.
Useful Information How to get here - by car, bus, train or boat www.millport.org/how-to-get-here Map Reference Lat: 55.753161, Long: -4.929215 Resident population circa 1,300 CalMac Largs office (ferry) 01475 674134 Marine Research Station 01475 530058 Watersports Centre 01475 530757 Catherdal of the Isles 01475 530353 Lady Margaret Hospital 01475 530307 Bicycle hire: Bremners 01475 530309 Mapes of Millport 01475 530444 On Your Bike 01475 530300 Taxi hire: Cumbrae Cabs 01475 530666 For accommodation Where to Stay
For more information www.millport.org
Brodick Isle of Arran
F
Aberdeen
Greenock
Glasgow Dundee
Largs
Firth of Clyde
Largs
Glasgow
Prestwick
Troon Prestwick
Ayr
Belfast
Edinburgh
White Bay
Ferry Pier Water Sports Centre
Great Cumbrae Island
The Indian Face
Glaid Stane (417ft)
Fintry Bay
Ferries run every 15 min in summer and every 30 min in winter. A bus service meets every ferry and runs to the town pier (at the George Hotel).
Inner Circle Walk
Hospital Golf Club
Millport Town
Garrison House
Kames Crocodile Bay Rock George West Hotel Bay
Bowling Club
Boatyard
Lion Rock Marine Research Station Farland Point Walk
For more information relating to the Isle of Cumbrae visit the official tourism web site at www.millport.org
Click on the image above to go there now
Sunset over Millport Bay, looking west to snow-capped Arran C P Kelly
Snow Capped Arran from Cumbrae C P Kelly
Millport town with the Isle of Bute in the background C P Kelly
Harbour Reflections, Millport C P Kelly
Evening Sun at Millport Harbour C P Kelly
Waverley Inbound to Millport C P Kelly
Waverley heading west from Millport Pier C P Kelly
Sunset on Kames Bay C P Kelly
Designed, published and produced by C P Kelly brochures@btinternet.com
All pictures are copyright of C P Kelly