Backpacking The Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland

Posted: April 16 2024 | Tagged: United Kingdom

I was backpacking the coastal town of Largs which is 1 hour from Glasgow by train. And I took the ferry across the Firth of Clyde to The Isle of Cumbrae.

I love backpacking places that are off the radar for most tourists, though Cumbrae is not exactly a 'hidden gem' nor is it off the beaten track as it is very accessible, but it is well worth a visit.

The Largs to Cumbrae ferry is run by Caledonian MacBrayne and was going every 15 minutes when I went so having backpacked most of Largs in between the showers, I took the ferry to The Isle of Cumbrae.

The 13:15 and 13:45 ferry would connect with the #320 bus to Millport, the main town on the island.

Caledonian MacBrayne ferry fro largs to Cumbrae

Ticket office for the Largs - Cumbrae Slip Ferry:

Largs isle of Cumbrae ferry ticket office

Ticket prices for the Largs to Cumbrae Slip ferry (April 2024):

Return ticket to The Isle of Cumbrae:

Boarding the Largs - Cumbrae ferry:

View from the window on the Largs Cumbrae ferry

The ferry takes just 10 minutes.

Arriving in Cumbrae:

Upon arrival on Cumbrae, there was a break in the weather, momentarily sunny. I took the opportunity and walked the short distance to the HMS Shearwater Memorial.

The HMS Shearwater Memorial was erected by the Officers of HMS Shearwater in memory of two midshipmen who were drowned nearby in 1844.

It's less than 10 minutes away. Enough time for a few photos and then back for the bus.

Nomadic backpacker walking on Isle of Cumbrae

Nomadic backpacker at the HMS Sheerwater memorial

The #320 bus from the Cumbrae Slip (where the ferry arrives) to Millport:

Check the bus schedule. Sometimes it runs hourly:

320 bus schedule from Cumbrae slip to Millport

Here's the bus ticket prices:

Return ticket. Cards are accepted but I paid with cash:

Enjoying the scenery on the road from the ferry terminal to the town of Millport through the dirty window:

through the window on the bus to Millport on Isle of Cumbrae

Arrival in Millport. The last stop is Cardiff Street. Here's the schedule going back to Cumbrae Slip:

But first, time for some liquid refreshment at the Millport Pier Hotel. Henry would approve as it is Dog-Friendly.

drinking a pint of tennants at the Pier Hotel in Millport

If time is on your side, you could stay overnight at Millport Pier Hotel.

You could hire a bike for some local exploration. There are a couple of Bike Hire shops.

Cycling around the island would be awesome in the summer months. It's not really a good option with heavy showers mixed with hail coming through in mid-April.

If you have some good wet weather gear, plenty of hiking to be had too:

Nomadic backpacker backpacking the isle of Cumbrae

Yet I was content to walk around the small town.

Island Life.

It's a lot smaller than Rathin Island in Northern Ireland but much more developed. There's a big convenience store, an ATM, and a few cafes

I backpacked a few places of possible interest. There ain't a whole lot to see but it made a cracking day out combined with backpacking the town of Largs.

The Cathedral of The Isles & College of The Holy Spirit. Dating from 1851, it's Britain's smallest cathedral.

The Cathedral of The Isles & College of The Holy Spirit

The Garrison House with its Sunken Garden, doubles as the Cumbrae Museum, cafe, library and medical practice. It dates from 1745 and was built as the residence of the Captain and officers of the Revenue Sailing Ship the ‘Royal George’ but was rebuilt in 2001 after a fire.