Bob Law's blog: Great Cumbrae and Millport

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Bob Law’s blog: Great Cumbrae and Millport

It’s been a few years since my last visit to this great wee island situated just off the coastal town of Largs. Time I paid it another visit.

Largs

The ferry fare over (for one foot passenger, no car) is still under £5 return and the bus that meets the ferry to take passengers into Millport is now free for me with my over 60s bus pass. I just turned up on the day. No booking ahead.

Great Cumbrae to Largs Ferry

For ferry passengers wishing to park their car in Largs, ample all day free parking is available on the coastal road just south of the Gogo Water, near the toilet block and the grassy slope. The ferry takes 10 mins and with 26 sailings a day in summer has a fast turn around. If you miss one another turns up 15 mins later.

Cycling in Millport

Millport Beaches

Being late July 2025 on my visit it was busy with families, with many groups taking bikes over but it’s a great island. You can hire a wide variety of bikes in Millport, including multiple child carrying vehicles, or group bikes with rain covers on them. Due to under 25km of paved roads on the island not many cars visit on day trips so it’s still a great quiet island to cycle or walk round, especially in the off season.

I’ve even been over on calm sunny days in midwinter ( probably no bike hire then) when it is really quiet and serene but highly memorable, with the jagged peaks of Arran plastered in snow, looking like The Alps or the Himalayan peaks.

Millport – ideal for family fun

Millport Firth of Clyde

Getting the bus across the island, ( I normally walk over it via the highest summit, the Glaid Stone, 127 metres) allowed me plenty of time to explore Millport. It hasn’t changed much in 60 years where you can still sample a traditional seaside day out. Families playing on the beach or rock pools, Crazy golf, ice creams, buckets and spades, or bike hire with flat easy cycling around the coastal circuit.

It is old fashioned but on the day I was there I witnessed a lot of cheerful happy families having a great time on this beautiful island. Well worth a visit. Any time of year as long as it’s dry/sunny..A taste of real island delights yet so close to the mainland.

August, 2025

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