sailscotland 2020

The Magic of Millport

 View across Millport Bay to the Isle of Arran © Hazel Pearson, Flamingo Yacht Charters Ltd.

If you are looking for a great destination for a wee sailing weekend away, then look no further than Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae. No matter what time of year you visit, this quirky little town will surprise you with just how much it has to offer to the yachting visitor.

Running Flamingo Yacht Charters has allowed me the luxury of visiting this lovely wee place on a regular basis. From our base at Largs Yacht Haven, it’s only a short sail of less than an hour to reach Millport and moor up. This is one of the reasons that I like to visit so much when I have some free time. Sailing out from Largs, you are immediately surrounded by the beauty of the West Coast. Looking to starboard you will see the Kyles of Bute and the hills of Argyll with the silhouettes of the mountains stretching for miles. I can stare at this view for hours and never get bored of it no matter what the weather. Immediately to starboard is the “Pencil” monument, a good marker to head for when returning to the marina (obviously changing direction to head into the marina before you sail up the beach!). This is a reminder of the great battle between the forces of King Haakon of Norway and the Scots army in 1263 and conjures up images of sword fights, fire and Viking marauders. It’s always a great story for the kids and the battle is celebrated annually at the end of August with a festival including fireworks, Viking battles and the burning of a longboat on the beach. Once clear of the marina entrance, setting a course for Millport we keep the village of Fairlie to port. This cute little village has a history of classic yacht building and the remains of a pier which was once a stopping off point for the steamer ships ferrying customers “doon the watter” from Glasgow. To starboard we sail along the shore of the Isle of Cumbrae, a low- lying island with ample farmland and a reputation for being the “bicycle island” due to the number of tourists who cycle around

sail scotland 2020

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