Easily-accessible Scottish island with 'old-world' feel is the perfect summer-escape
With the mercury set to soar this weekend and parts of Scotland expected to hit a sizzling 29C, sunseekers will be plotting their great escape. Scotland's mainland offers no shortage of beautiful beaches, leafy parks, and bustling pub gardens for you to enjoy.
But the country's many islands promise something a little more magical. If you're looking for sea breezes, stunning views and a short break from the city, one island stands out, and it's just a ferry ride away.
Great Cumbrae, sitting in the sparkling Firth of Clyde, might be just four miles long and barely 2.5 miles wide, but it's packed with charm, activities and history. Best of all, it's one of the most easily accessible islands in Scotland, especially for those in the Central Belt.
Reaching Cumbrae is a breeze. Trains from Glasgow Central to Largs take around 90 minutes, while the drive is under an hour.
From Largs, the ferry crossing takes only 15 minutes and runs regularly year-round, though you might have to queue for a wee bit, Scottish Daily Express reports.
Once you arrive at the slip, regular buses take you directly to the island's only town, the much-loved Millport.
A seaside resort since Victorian times, Millport continues to delight visitors with what Undiscovered Scotland describes as a 'slightly old-world resort feel'.
Set along a wide sandy bay on the southern coast of the island, Millport is so synonymous with the island that many people simply refer to the whole place as 'Millport'.
The town boasts a few impressive claims to fame. It's home to the UK's smallest cathedral, the Cathedral of the Isles, which seats just 100 and is also one of the tiniest in Europe.
There's also The Wedge, believed to be the narrowest house in the world. Just 47 inches wide at the front and 11 feet at its widest point, it's a quirky sight you won't forget.
Garrison House, a stately 18th-century mansion turned community hub, now houses a cafe and the Museum of the Cumbraes.
Those interested in local nature will enjoy a stop at the Robertson Museum and Aquarium, which showcases the island's rich marine life and habitats. But for most visitors, the best way to see the island is on two wheels.
Cumbrae is a haven for cyclists, with bike hire easily available in Millport. Thousands of people every year complete the scenic 10-mile loop around the island, soaking in breathtaking views of Arran, Bute, the Ayrshire coast, and the neighbouring Wee Cumbrae - which has become a launchpad for a nationwide campaign to combat marine plastic pollution.
If cycling's not your sport, then Millport Golf Club may be worth a visit. Designed by former Open champion James Braid, the course sits in the north of the island, near its centre.
And if you prefer the blue sea to the green grass, Cumbrae is a haven for watersports. From yachting and dinghy sailing to kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing, the surrounding waters offer something for every thrill-seeker.
If you're lucky, you might even spot the resident seal colony or a passing basking shark during the warmer months.
And no trip would be complete without visiting the iconic Crocodile Rock, a painted seaside boulder that has become a beloved local landmark.
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