Millport

On the 11th September 2020, myself, my helper and a couple of friends went across to Millport for the day. The journey took 47 minutes from where I live that includes the 10 minute ferry crossing from Largs. Visitors travelling from Glasgow to Largs is 60 minutes including the 10 minute ferry crossing to Great Cumbrae. The CalMac ferry sail every half hour. Visitors do not require to book tickets in advance, there is a ticket office at the ferry terminal in Largs.  

 Largs – Great Cumbrae CalMac Ferry Fees

Driver and Passenger: £3.40

Child 5 – 15: £1.70

Infant under age 5: Free

Car or 4×4: £12:95

Great Cumbrae is a small island located across from Largs on the Ayrshire coastline. The island is 10.25 miles circumference and has a small quaint town shaped in a curve called Millport which is the only town on the island, with a stunning beach. The sandy beach has a promenade which is suitable for all types of wheelchairs and other mobilities as it all smooth. Millport has a few restaurants, cafés and pubs, Convenience shops, bike hire shop, gift shops, crazy golf, Robertson Museum and Aquarium etc. Visitors can walk or cycle around the island which take 2 – 4 hours with lovely views of Firth of Clyde, Isle of Little Cumbrae and Bute. Electric wheelchair user can drive round the island as the roads are smooth also depending how much charge you have in your battery. If you are able to be transferred into a manual wheelchair, you can hire a bike that has a wheelchair attached to the front of it, for someone to cycle you around the island while enjoying the fresh air and views.

There is a small selection of accommodations available in Millport if you are planning a peaceful getaway or a hire static caravan at Millport Holiday Park. Unfortunately, I am not entirely sure how accessible these accommodations are for people with disabilities.

We took a drive around Great Cumbrae and took a few photos of the picturesque scenery and then took a walk along Millport main street to find somewhere to eat. We ended up having lunch in Garrison House café. The Garrison café is located at the side of the building in a courtyard. The courtyard has quite large cobbles which can be an obstacle for some wheelchair user and other mobilities, my mate and I went over them slowly. The disabled toilet is not overly big but there is enough room to manoeuvre for you and assistance if required.    

Garrison House is a Gothic looking building which was built in 1745. Unfortunately, Garrison House went on fire in 2001 leaving the locals and visitors a ruin which was an eyesore. The local community got together raised money to rebuild Garrison House which is over two floors using traditional stonework, now used as a hub for locals and tourists. The refurbished facility has a GP surgery, library, Museum of the Cumbraes, Garrison café, rooms available for community use and North Ayrshire local Council Services Office.    

After lunch we took a walk to see The Cathedral of The Isles & College of The Holy Spirit. When we arrived at the gates of the Cathedral, we discovered a flight of stairs, my mate Sanjeev and I waited at the bottom of the stairs while someone found an accessible route so both of us could see it. Eventually, we managed to find a suitable route to the Cathedral grounds and gardens which were nice and peaceful, also found the accessible entrance into the Cathedral, unfortunately it was closed. The route up to the cathedral was smooth, had to go on the road because the pavements were slightly uneven and narrow there is also a gravel hilly path leading up to the cathedral, wheelchairs and other mobilities should manage it no problem at all.