Discover What Awaits on the Isle of Cumbrae
Scotland is a beautiful country that is filled with surprises. One such hidden gem is the Isle of Cumbrae or ‘Great Cumbrae’. The island is the larger of two islands (the Cumbraes) situated in western Scotland in the lower Firth of Clyde. It is only 3.9 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, but there is a lot packed into this small little piece of paradise!
The Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland has somewhat varied terrain and rises to a height of 127 meters above sea level at its highest point – The Glaidstone. The Glaidstone is a naturally occurring rock that is perched quite fittingly right on top of the Island’s highest summit. Other attractions one will find on this island are the National Watersports Center, the town of Millport, an eighteen-hole golf course, the University Marine Biological Station, the Cathedral of the Isles and a round-island run, which is often used by bicycling families. The views from the island – and especially its higher points – are absolutely breathtaking and one can see very far out to sea on a clear day. A person may be able to see Ben Lomond, Bute, Arran, the Kintyre peninsular, Ailsa Craig, Little Cumbrae and Paps of Jura. If the weather is especially fine, you may even be able to only just see northern Ireland in the distance.
Most people start their visit of the Island at Millport, the only town on the Isle of Cumbrae. The town is spread around a large bay and its population grows substantially during the holiday season. Not far from Millport you will find a number of interesting rock formations formed by the Great Cumbrae Fault line. Some of these have been painted to give you a clearer picture and all of them have descriptive names such as Lion’s Rock, Indian’s Face, Queen Victoria and Crocodile Rock. If you head to the western side of the island you’ll find some great little beaches as well as the island’s highest waterfall, which is called Horse Falls. The island’s cathedral is reputed to have been built at the spot where St Mirren, who is said to have arrived on the island around 710 AD and rid it of its snakes, preached during his stay here. Of course the island has a strong Viking heritage that dates back to 1263 and involves the Viking king Haakon. Most visitors today arrive by boat and then hire a bike and make their way along the island’s 18 km circular coastal road at their leisure. There are also several informal walks on the island that will enable you to further explore its rugged features. Both efforts are best finished off at the small café located in Millport. During summer, fishing and boating are also popular activities. Why not give the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland a visit and learn more about this fascinating place for yourself?
