Isle of Cumbrae

Scotland > West of Scotland > Isle of Cumbrae

There are two islands making up the Cumbraes, Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae, today it is Great Cumbrae that has remained inhabitated.

Cumbrae, along with Arran and Bute became part of Scotland in 1263. Alexander the III defeated the Norse King Haco at the Battle of Largs. Centuries of feuding over the islands ended three years later at the Treaty of Perth. Later in 1539 the island was divided into a number of small baronies whose names survive to the present day.


By the 1850's the island's ownership was divided between the Earl of Glasgow in the east and the Marquis of Bute in the west. By the start of the twentieth century Bute estate had become the feudal landlord of almost the whole island.

These feudal links persisted with the Marquess having final say over developments on most of the island till 1999. At this point the present Marquess, put the island up for sale allowing tenants to acquire land which had been held in feudal tenure by his family for 800 years. The only exception to this sale of land was Garrison House in the centre of town, which is currently a subject of a Heritage Lottery bid which may be able to restore it to its former glory.


The Garrison originally housed the crew of a revenue cutter the Royal George. The first vessel 'The King's Boat' in 1634 was established to deal with smuggling. Smuggling was rife and well supported by the islanders. At one point church communion had to be postponed when the appropriate wine had not been smuggled ashore in time.

The 'Royal George' was of 250 tons and had a crew of 60 men. Officers gave their names to streets in Millport - Crawford and Ritchie were Captain and Mate respectively. Millport took its name from the grain mill at the top of Cardiff Street.


It was in Victorian times that Millport became a holiday resort, with regular visits from the famous Clyde paddle steamers of the day bringing eager holidaymakers from the Glasgow area, "doon the waater".


Today the Island is a lively resort with golf, walking and Millports speciality - cycling very much to the fore. There is a outdoor activity centre promoting active use of the island and the quiet waters around it. The smallest cathedral in Scotland is located here - "The Cathedral of Isles".

Access to the island is now by roll-on, roll-off ferry from Largs. There are a good selection of cafes, bars, sandy beaches and good walking, giving great veiws from the vantage point of the "Gladestone" - highest point on the island.