Millport Inner Circuit, Isle of Cumbrae

(S/E) Turn left (South) from the Isle of Cumbrae ferry slip .

(1) Walk along the B896 for 700m then turn second right (South West) onto B899/Ferry Road - signposted 'Broomy Knowes'.

(2) From here the road continues gently uphill for 1.5km past some farms to a fork. Turn right (North West) to follow the minor road marked for 'Millport via Glaid Stone Hill'.

(3) Enjoy the views across to Largs and then further round the Isle of Bute. The Glaid Stone Hill is reached after 1.5km of uphill walking and is marked by a trig point. There is a footpath leading up to it a short distance off the tarmac road.

Go back to the road and turn right (South). Loch Minnemoer can be seen off to your left-hand side and further round you will pass a smaller loch - known as Wee Minnemoer - on your right with a tiny cottage at the far side of it.

Heading downhill from here for 1.8km, the island of Little Cumbrae starts to come into view, followed by Cumbrae golf course down to the right with its two reservoirs (Upper Cumbrae and Lower Cumbrae Reservoirs). As the road continues to descend you will see your first glimpse of the town of Millport below, as well as the windfarm across on the mainland.

(4) After going past a farm you will come to a crossroads. Turn right (South West) to join College Street.  

(5) You will reach the Cathedral of the Isles 300m along the road on your left and a short de-tour is recommended if you would like to see it in more detail. If you wish to do this, turn first left onto a track and follow this uphill and behind the Cathedral, to emerge at the top of a tree-lined staircase. This takes you back to College Street where you turn left (South) to continue along the route.

At the end of College Street turn left (East) onto Glasgow Road/B896, the main street through Millport.

(6) You will pass the iconic Crocodile Rock 150m along on your right.

(7) Continue along Glasgow Street then Kelburn Street (or along the seafront) to Kames Bay. At the W end of Kames Bay turn left (North East) onto B899/Ferry Road.

(8) Turn left (North East) at the fork onto Ferry Road/B899.

Follow this minor road for 1.8km to link back up with an earlier fork at the 'Millport via Glaid Stone Hill' signpost (2).

Keep right (North) to stay on Ferry Road for 1.4km and return to the B896 fork at the 'Broomy Knowes' signpost (1)

Turn left (North) to return to the Isle of Cumbrae ferry slip, 700m away (S/E)

For more information and a walk review visit Gillian's Walks

Transport
The route is designed to be walked from the ferry slip on Cumbrae, returning to the same point. To take the ferry to Cumbrae you embark at Largs where there is chargeable car parking available at the ferry terminal (KA30 8BG). Largs train station is also only 300m from the ferry terminal.

Terrain
This walk is along tarmac surfaces making it ideal for buggies, although prepare yourself for plenty of uphill pushing!

• Ferry crossing to the Isle of Cumbrae - best known for hiring a bike and cycling the 16kms round the island
• Glaidstone Hill viewpoint and trig
• Views across to Largs, the Isle of Bute, Isle of Arran, Little Cumbrae and the hills of Ayrshire
• Cathedral of the Isles - a category A listed building and Britain's smallest cathedral
• Millport - bike hire, museums, Mapes of Millport toy shop, cafes, pubs, accommodation, public toilets
• Crocodile Rock - a famous landmark at Millport Bay
• Kames Bay - a sheltered golden sandy beach