Discover
The Cumbrae.
One of five great
routes.

Great Cumbrae is a tiny island which is enormously memorable! Merely four miles in length and two miles wide, the island is reached by ferry crossing from Largs, with Great Cumbrae as a whole often conflated with Millport, its only town.

Millport itself is gloriously busy and cheerful, with a collection of seaside-themed boutiques, pubs, ice cream parlours and eateries populating the main promenade. Crocodile Rock is a beloved landmark which dominates Millport’s shoreline as one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions. Shaped like a terrifying prehistoric croc, the Rock is painted annually by local heritage groups, giving him an irresistibly roguish grin. Other geological sites of interest which have acquired fond nicknames on Great Cumbrae are the Butter Lump, Lion Rock and Indian Rock.

Cumbrae is famously popular for cyclists of all ages thanks to a safe 10 mile, mostly flat, circular loop around the island. A day trip cycling round Millport is a rite of passage for many cyclists determined to prove their pedal power, with idyllic rest-stops at Farland Point and Fintry Bay.

For a quieter pace the best beaches are on the western side of the island, with gorgeous views over to Arran and Bute. Contemplation and peace can be found at Britain's smallest cathedral, the Cathedral of the Isles, where wild garlic grows in the grounds in springtime.

The island is a paradise for nature-lovers and wildlife watchers with over 125 species of birds, seal colonies, porpoises and basking sharks. Enthusiasts can visit the Field Studies Council in the south-east of the island, which offers information and educational experiences for families and school groups teaching about Cumbrae’s native vegetation and marine life.