Island 96 - Great Cumbrae

Great Cumbrae is one of my favourite islands.  It is small but perfectly formed.  It is 4 miles long and 2 miles wide and in 2011 the population was 1,375.  It can be accessed by a Calmac vehicle ferry from Largs and the crossing time is 10 minutes.  There is a road round the coast on a raised beach and a couple of roads through the middle and up to the highest point on the island - Glaid Stone at 127m.  Cycling round the island is a popular activity and bikes can be hired in Millport.

The main town on the island is Millport, which did not exist until 1700.  The brightly painted Crocodile Rock on the beach at Millport has been a popular feature for over 100 years.

The Cathedral of the Isles and its adjacent residential buildings, were built in Millport from the 1850s until 1886.  It was founded by George Frederick Boyle, who later became the 6th Early of Glasgow.  It was originally planned to be a theological college for the Scottish Episcopal Church.  The architect was William Butterfield. The church was consecrated as the Cathedral of the Isles in 1876.

Sandy beach on the west coast of Great Cumbrae

Calmac ferry approaching Great Cumbrae

Monument, Tomont End

"Indian" Rock, NW coast of Great Cumbrae

West coast of Great Cumbrae

Millport

Wild garlic in flower around the Cathedral of the Isles

Cathedral of the Isles, Millport

Inside the Cathedral of the Isles

Inside the Cathedral of the Isles

Memorial at Cathedral of the Isles

Wild garlic lines the path up to the Cathedral of the Isles

Bluebells in the woods near the Cathedral

Kames Bay, Millport

Kames Bay, Millport

Millport

Crocodile rock eating a small human!

Crocodile Rock, Millport

Sunken Garden at The Garrison, Millport

Garrison House, Millport

War Memorial, Millport

The Wedge - a very narrow house, Millport

Millport Harbour

Lion Rock

War Memorial

This is a memorial to those members of the British and allied armed forces who have no known grave.

Glaid Stone Trig Point

Plaque on a rock at the Glaid Stone