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another. It’s an amazing wee gem of a place and run entirely on donations and a bit of grant funding. Still got some energy left? Then take a stroll through the Cathedral grounds. Built in 1851, The Cathedral of the Isles is officially Britain’s smallest cathedral. The grounds are a peaceful place for reflection and at night you can spot lots of bats flying in and out of the spire. Once you’ve exhausted yourself and fully explored the town, it’s probably time to grab a pint in one of the many pubs before heading back out to spend a blissful night on your yacht as you gaze back towards the multicoloured fairy lights that are strung right along the length of the town and reflect onto the sea making Millport look truly magical from the water. Hopefully, you will feel inspired and want to sample the magic of Millport for yourself. What better time to do it that in 2020, The Year of Coasts and Waters #YCW2020 Hazel Pearson, Flamingo Yacht Charters www.flamingoyachts.com

it’s 10-mile circumference every day in the summer months. It’s a flat, easy cycle and is perfect for families and groups of friends to complete together with enough café stops on the way to keep everyone happy! Further along the Cumbrae shore, we pass the Lion Rock, a hulking rock dyke that really does look like a lion wandering in from the sea. The kids love to climb this and take great delight from being able to have a photo taken standing under his bottom! Rounding the corner into Millport Bay, we pass the Field Studies Centre where many marine biology students spend lengthy placements studying the abundant sealife that is to be found along our coast and in our waters. Once ashore, it is worth taking a walk around to the Centre to the small aquarium and museum that they operate. For a few pounds you can learn all about our native species and even handle a few of the inhabitants of the tanks. The views on the approach to Millport Bay are fabulous, the huge mountains of the Isle of Arran in the distance provide a show-stopping background and the Island of Wee Cumbrae to port helps to complete the feeling of being transported miles away from the hustle and bustle of busy modern life even though you have only left your car on the mainland less than an hour ago. There are some good spots to anchor in Kames Bay and plenty of moorings to pick up near the pier or at the West Bay end of the town. Once you have made your choice, it’s time to get the dinghy out and explore. I usually like to row over to the Eileans, a couple of small islands in the bay, to check out the local seal population and the resident bird life before heading ashore to the town. In town, there are some great options for hungry sailors. For a totally traditional lunch, why not head to the Deep Sea chippy for fresh hand battered haddock and chips that you can eat on the pier or on the yacht. Or for a lighter takeaway lunch and some coffee, try the Crocodeli or Brewbaker, who bake fresh speciality breads, cakes and treats every day. There are also a few options for sit down meals such as the café in the Garrison, the Dancing Midge or the old-style Ritz café – I can highly recommend a ’99 ice-cream with raspberry sauce. I’ve sampled a few of these in my time! If you are feeling energetic, there are bikes and canoes available to hire. Or if you just want to explore the little town itself, I would recommend wandering from the pier, along the seafront to the Crocodile Rock and taking in the old-world seaside charm. There are bouncy castles, trampolines, swing boats and a great wee crazy golf course – perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages! Don’t miss a visit to the Garrison, which was restored to its former glory recently by a community group and now houses a museum, café, library and the doctor’s surgery. In the grounds of the Garrison there is also an unassuming brown shed… if you are lucky enough to be there on a day when it has been opened up by the volunteers, you will find a fabulous model railway inside. The local train enthusiasts have built a replica of the whole island of Cumbrae in one shed and a replica of Glasgow and the West Highland Line in

 Heading out of Largs Yacht Haven © Hazel Pearson, Flamingo Yacht Charters Ltd.

 Millport’s famous Crocodile Rock © Hazel Pearson, Flamingo Yacht Charters Ltd.

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