Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Scotsnet

Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Question about Glasgow - Millport/Isle of Cumbrae

32 replies

InkyNight · 13/05/2024 19:22

We're in Glasgow over the first bit of half term and thinking of going to Millport and biking around the island. Some questions for those in the know!

1 - It's bank holiday Monday. Are we mad? We can either do it Sun or Mon.
2 - We have a car but is it best to leave it and take the ferry as just a passenger? I wondered what the parking is like. I was just aware we have to get a train to the ferry, then the ferry, then possibly a bus to the bike shop for bike rental as it's 4 miles away. Seemed like a 'schlep' or maybe I'm overthinking it.

Any thoughts on the above, recommendations for bike shops and places to eat and anything else on the island very welcome. Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
InkyNight · 14/05/2024 12:59

Thanks so much, everyone. You've been brilliantly helpful.

OP posts:
treadingonlego · 15/05/2024 06:29

I love a day trip to Millport - I was there at the weekend! The ferries go every 15 minutes at this time of year, so even when there's a huge queue it goes down quite quickly. Definitely don't take the car over!

Original poster
InkyNight · 15/05/2024 12:15

Thanks all - I'm religiously looking at the weather. Rain is forecast while we're in Glasgow and around. BOO - but we'll crack on regardless...

OP posts:
Inyourwildestdreams · 17/05/2024 06:06

millportmum · 14/05/2024 12:17

Local here - most things already been said but...

Under no circumstances take your car over - the ferries have been shambolic in recent months and the smaller current replacements do not have sufficient capacity - queues will be very long, there was one night a few weeks people got stranded both sides.

The wee bus connecting ferry to millport is efficient and regular. I haven't hired bikes as have our own but big place on main front in millport.

If it's sunny any weekend or bank holiday it will be busy, but if you make an early start it's not bad, get much busier by mid-afternoon. Local schools here in North Ayrshire are off on the 26th and it's English half term so I expect it to be busy both days.

Train from Glasgow is nice as you come up the coast (sit on the left leaving central station) but if you drive I recommend avoiding the car park at the front (seems to always have issues with the machines and people getting irate) and driving up into the town a bit - other side of Boyd street/Brisbane road and walk back down - it's really not far. PP is correct they have started ticketing recently (and I am glad as it's unsafe a lot of the time!) but street parking is mainly unrestricted it's just the centre is a free for all parking all over junctions and on double yellows.

Fishworks is the "car park" chippy mentioned - it's award winning and rightly so. Downside is it only has very basic seating outdoors - I'm too scared of the seagulls and it's mating season so they are extra crazy at the moment. Loads of other indoor choices for food from tapas, Italian, Indian, loads of great pub food option. Or there's always Wetherspoons. A lot more choice in Largs than Millport. I agree with Nardinis being overrated but it is still a lovely and iconic building to have a flamboyant icecream inside. They do takeaway too. As does the wee one Nardini at the moorings right across from ferry.

Enjoy your visit.

@InkyNight Also a local and second everything @millportmum says 😊

Absolutely no need to take the car over - far more hassle than it’s worth!!

My advice would be to start your day early! Every weekend/bank holiday Largs is full of visitors complaining that they came to get the ferry but “there’s a huge queue and we’re not waiting in that”….after not arriving in the town until 12/1pm.

And yes, the seagulls are wild 😬😅 I work in the town and see people daily having their chips or sausage roll snatched as they’re puting it in their mouth 🙈

Original poster
InkyNight · 17/05/2024 06:40

Thanks so much to the locals!

I come from a town rife with seagulls... I could tell you a TERRIBLE story about a seagull and me, but I wouldn't want to get your day off to a bad start.

Please all do a little sun dance for me ahead of our visit.

OP posts:
truthbombtime · 17/05/2024 08:54

I am thinking of going tomorrow as OP has inspired me.

Do any of our Millport locals know if we’d manage to get bikes after lunch time? The kids have football in the morning so we wouldn’t be able to go over early.

Thanks!

millportmum · 17/05/2024 09:15

It's glorious here today - if tomorrow is the same it will be lovely but heaving. No idea about bikes I'm afraid but suspect it's very possible.

Parking attendants very visible on Main Street this morning too, clearly anticipating a busy day.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread