Great Cumbrae
4 miles / 7 km
short description
This is the finest walk in the whole of the Clyde area and one of my all-time favourite walks (which I do 3-4 times a year). I have taken both visitors and local people on this walk and they all agree that this is a remarkably fine walk, on par with most of what the rest of the world can offer. Strong words, but justified.
The walk is an experience that also includes the Kilwinning to Largs train journey, the Ayrshire coast at its finest, Largs and Millport, the ferry and finally.. the McGill's 901 bus from Largs to Gourock and Braehead/Glasgow (voted the second best bus journey in the British Isles last year). That is one of a day out, and on par with some of the best this planet has to offer. Again, mine and my visitors' views.
Easy
Glaid Stone, the highest point on Great Cumbrae is 400 feet/ 127 meters above sea level. The final hill is steep with some excellent views in all directions. The walk is on good tarmac. The tarmac on the way up to Glaid Stone can be icy during the winter (yes, I have walked it in December). That said, this is a short but hugely enjoyable walk. Good shoes and plenty of drink is recommended. Millport is the reward at the end of the walk.
Train to Largs from Glasgow/Paisley/Johnstone 1 time an hour
Ferry from Largs to Great Cumbrae 2 - 4 times an hour.
From the Largs train station, walk down the street to the left to the CalMac ticket office to get tickets/boarding passes for the ferry. The ferry itself is an attraction and the 8 minutes long sailing never fails to impress.
After disembarking, take the road to the left along the shore past the sailing club to the white house. Be very careful when passing this house as the cars are really fast here, trying to reach the ferry. 50 yards/meters after this house, take the road to the right, up the hill. This road, Ferry Road, is scenic with some good views. It also has a couple of steep climbs too. Be very careful on this road and particularly at its blind corners as the cars are really fast here. In particular when passing the farm.
300 yards/meters after the farm, the road ends up in a crossroad. Take the narrow road to the right. The road, the finest part of the walk, winds to the left before rounding the island towards the west. The views here towards The Highlands, The Cowal Peninsula, the ferries and Isle Of Bute are brilliant.
The road has now reached the west side of the island and becomes flat before the final part of the climb, by far the steepest part of the climb.
This climb is a bit of a physical test with some great views towards the west and the north. There are normally some big cows on the nearby farm field and the farm is also impressive. The reward is the short detour to the top of Glaid Stone, it's trig point and some useful information sign posts. That and the benches up here. The views are brilliant.
The road towards Millport are slightly undulating and winding past a small loch over to the south coast of the island. The road finally reaches a viewpoint and the mountains on Isle Of Arran are most impressive from this viewpoint. One of the better viewpoints in the whole of the Clyde area. The Millport Golf Course, a good golf course, also comes into view here.
The road descends towards Millport on a gradually steeper descent with great views towards the south. The final bit down the hill to the farm is a test of your legs/knees.
This small road reaches a bigger road at a farm after a sharp left turn. Follow the pavement past the Cathedral Of The Isles, a worthy visit/detour to the left, before the road ends up in the magnificent, beautiful Millport. Take the road to the right and visit the souvenir shops Mapes Of Millport if you want a fridge magnet, mug or any other souvenir from this village, island or walk. The cafeterias and eateries here are also great. Please also note and enjoy the palm trees on this esplanade. The walk ends at the bus stop next to King George Hotel.
The bus from here back to the ferry 4 times an hour
The ferry back to Largs 4 times an hour.
The McGill's Bus 901 from Largs to Wemyss Bay/Gourock/Greenock/Braehead/Glasgow 4 times an hour (highly recommended).
The McGill's Bus 901 from Largs to Wemyss Bay/Greenock/Braehead/Glasgow 4 times an hour (not recommended).
The train from Largs to /Glasgow 1 time an hour (not recommended).
(For travellers to Paisley, I recommend McGill's Bus 901 to Port Glasgow and then the Port Glasgow - Paisley train 4 times an hour.)
Enjoy the walk !!