Millport (Cumbrae)

Great Cumbrae is an island in the Firth of Clyde off the coast of Ayrshire, with Millport as its only settlement, and a population of 1376 in 2011. The island is about 3 miles long by 1½ miles wide, roughly tooth-shaped, with a broad bay indenting its south coast. It's low-lying and agricultural; Millport is a traditional "Glasgow Riviera" resort but is quiet and little developed compared to Ayrshire's other coastal towns.

Little Cumbrae a mile south across the channel of "The Tan" is rocky and barren. It's nowadays a private yoga retreat.

Cumbrae or Cumaradh means "place of the Cymric people" - so they spoke a P-Celtic language similar to Old Welsh, until this was replaced by the Q-Celtic of Gaelic.

Get in
3 miles north of Millport is where you arrive on the Calmac ferry from Largs. This sails year-round every 30 min daily, taking 10 min. Return fares until end of March 2025 are £15.20 per car, £4 per adult including the driver, and £2 per child aged 5-15.

Millport Motors Bus 320 shuttles between the Slip and Millport town every 30 minutes, more often at peak times, taking 10 min.

Get around

 * Mapes on Guildford St and On Your Bike on Stuart St hire bikes. Both are open daily.

See

 * is a large rock on the foreshore painted with a crocodile's jaws. It was first painted circa 1913 and kept in good repair since. Other prominent rocks around the island have been similarly embellished.
 * is the imaginative name for the two outcrops in the bay off Millport. The name means "islands", which they are.
 * is a large rock on the foreshore painted with a crocodile's jaws. It was first painted circa 1913 and kept in good repair since. Other prominent rocks around the island have been similarly embellished.
 * is the imaginative name for the two outcrops in the bay off Millport. The name means "islands", which they are.
 * is the imaginative name for the two outcrops in the bay off Millport. The name means "islands", which they are.

Do

 * What's on? Read Largs and Millport Weekly News.
 * Glaid Stone is the island's highest point of 417 ft / 127 m, with views over the Firth of Clyde. You can walk, cycle or drive up the narrow paved lane.
 * Circle the island: it's 11 miles along quiet, level roads.
 * on the east coast is a national watersports training facility, covering several disciplines including powerboats and kayaking.
 * Golf: Millport GC is on the ridge behind the town. White tees 5828 yards, par 68, visitor fee £30.
 * Scuba diving: Don't be alarmed if on the ferry you see people donning scuba kit: they're planning to dive onto the Catalina flying boat next to Cumbrae Slip. The Catalinas were based at Largs during World War II for Atlantic patrols, and this one made a rough landing and sank in 1943.
 * Beach: Newton Beach in the bay by Millport is sandy and safe.

Buy

 * There are small stores along the main street but no supermarket. People do their main shopping in Largs.

Eat
The Golden Dragon and the Dancing Midge Cafe are both on Millport sea front by Crocodile Rock.

Drink

 * Newton Bar on Glasgow St is open daily 11:00-01:00. Tavern Bar is further along the street.
 * The Twa Dugs on Stuart St is open daily 11:00-00:00. Minstrels nearby remains closed in 2022.
 * Distillery: Isle of Cumbrae Distillers make gin, tours available.

Sleep

 * Firth View Caravan Park, half a mile west of town, has static caravans as self-catering lets, but doesn't have tourer or camping facilities. It's open Mar-Dec.
 * Also, several self-catering places in Millport.
 * Also, several self-catering places in Millport.
 * Also, several self-catering places in Millport.

Connect
As of April 2022, Great Cumbrae only has a mobile signal from Three. Largs on the mainland has 4G from all UK carriers so finish up any important calls there.

Go next

 * You have to return by ferry to Largs. Once ashore, head to Ayr for the Robert Burns Heritage Area at Alloway.
 * Other Clyde islands easily reached from Largs are the Isle of Bute (ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay) and Isle of Arran (ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick).