Fintry Bay, Great Cumbrae

Summary

This idyllic walk more than repays the minor effort involved. Climbing out of Millport, it soon reveals superb views across Bute and the Firth of Clyde to the rocky north Arran hills. The rougher section by the coastline can be avoided.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Pavements, country lanes, footpaths and grassy tracks; one rough section with only faint path along coastline.

Getting there

Start

Old Pier, Millport.

Public Transport

Ferry to Cumbrae Slip and connecting bus to Millport Old Pier.

Start Grid Ref

NS160547

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.5km / 4.75 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 45m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 341 - Greenock

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

ROUTE SPONSORED BY

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

Great Cumbrae Island is easily accessible from Largs thanks to a regular shuttle ferry service which runs at 15 minute intervals in the summer months dropping to 30 minutes in winter. You can either walk from the ferry using the inner circle route, or a bus meets the ferry at Cumbrae Slip and conveys passengers the 7km to Millport. Get off at the last stop - the Old Pier by the Royal George Hotel. Cross the road and head up Cardiff Street, forking right onto Golf Road which heads towards Millport Golf Club.

Stage 2

The quiet country road continues gently uphill passing the three farms at Kirkton, with the island's original cemetery - the oldest gravestone dates back to 1703 - located between Mid Kirkton Farm and a caravan park and accessed via a decorative gate and turnstile. Further along the road you'll pass the replacement modern cemetery on the right which has been in use since the 1930s. Before reaching the golf club car park fork left, signed 'Isle of Cumbrae Walks'. Take a track that curves left, passing a series of white-washed farm buildings.

Stage 3

The track becomes unsurfaced before reaching a kissing gate accompanied by a further signpost - go through this then turn right, following a grassy track around the edge of a field. It soon swings left and continues rising gentling, eventually revealing spectacular views across to Kilchattan Bay on Bute, with Mount Stuart - residence of the Marquess of Bute - visible further north on the wooded hillside.

Stage 4

Continue along the track - which can be wet after rain - with Ben Lomond and the Loch Lomond hills on the distant horizon. Pass through a gate and note the Gowk Stane over to the left. This is one of several such stones in Scotland, with the name meaning 'stone of the cuckoo' or fool in Scots. From here the views over Bute are supplemented by the rocky ridge of the North Arran hills, with a profile claimed to represent a 'Sleeping Warrior'. The grassy path begins to slope downhill - quite steeply in places - before descending, passing through a kssing gate and entering a patch of woodland before emerging at the surfaced road.

Stage 5

Turn right for a brief detour along this quiet road to reach Fintry Bay and tearoom, a popular stop for cyclists completing the circular route around the island and those that fancy a picnic on the red sandy beach. Now turn around and head back along the road - the pavement is overgrown but traffic is very light. Pass a war memorial overlooking the sea and the shallow bay at Sheriff's Port. An iron kissing gate on the left hand side of the road offers a path back to the outward route at Kirkton, but carry on along the road instead. Shortly after a rocky picnic area above the beach look for a green 'Isle of Cumbrae Walks' signpost on the right indicating a narrow footpath.

Stage 6

The path is very faint, rough and rocky, but navigation is simple as it winds along the rocky shoreline and across a series of improvised bridges to reach a livestock field. Continue along the shoreline and eventually go through a gate alongside a water treatment plant. Follow the vehicle track left and then turn right; eventually the track re-joins the road. Turn right and follow the road back into Millport past a row of impressive villas.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Ayrshire Hotels

Ayrshire B&B

Glasgow, Ayrshire & Lanark cottages

Glasgow, Ayrshire & Lanark hostels

Glamping and Camping

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?