Millport, Great Cumbrae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Millport
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 The beachfront at Millport, Great Cumbrae, 2018 |
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 Millport
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| Population | 1,170 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NS162549 |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF CUMBRAE |
| Postcode district | KA28 |
| Dialling code | 01475 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Millport (Scottish Gaelic: Port a' Mhuilinn) is the only town on Great Cumbrae island. This island is located in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Millport is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of the ferry terminal. This terminal connects the island to mainland Scotland.
Because Great Cumbrae is small, many people think of the island and the town as the same place. The island offers amazing views of the Isle of Arran. You can also see Little Cumbrae, which is a smaller island less than a kilometre away. In old Norse stories, the Cumbraes were called Kumreyiar.
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What's in a Name?
The Gaelic name Cumaradh means "place of the Cymric people". This refers to the people who spoke Brittonic languages and lived in the ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde. Another idea is that Cumbrae comes from Kil Maura. This means "cell or church of a female saint".
Millport's Past
In the past, the River Clyde was very important for moving goods and building ships. Millport became a key spot for Customs and Excise officers. They worked to stop smuggling. Some streets in Millport are named after the crew of a special ship called the Royal George.
The Victorian era (when Queen Victoria ruled) was a time of fast growth for Millport. More people moved there, and new buildings like beautiful Victorian and Edwardian houses were built. Many of these large homes were made using rock from The Eileans.
The Cathedral of the Isles is a very special church. It was finished in 1851. This cathedral is tiny, seating only about 100 people. It is often called the smallest cathedral in Great Britain. Some even say it's the smallest in Europe!
The local Lady Margaret Hospital opened in 1900. It was named after Lady Margaret Crichton-Stuart. She was the daughter of a powerful lord, the 3rd Marquess of Bute.
People and Life in Millport
In 2011, about 1,376 people lived on the island. This was a small drop from 1,434 people in 2001. However, the population grows a lot during the summer when tourists visit.
The community in Millport is very active. There are many clubs and groups for different interests. The island even has its own online radio station, Radio Millport. In 2021, a newspaper called The Guardian said Cumbrae was one of the most searched places to buy property online in Britain. This was likely because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Millport has many beaches. It also has an 18-hole golf course with great views of the Isle of Arran hills. Other fun places include a crazy golf course, a bowling club, and two football pitches. You can go sea fishing for mackerel or try fly fishing in two freshwater reservoirs.
The road around the island is popular for walking and cycling. It also gives access to the island's beaches.
The community is represented by The Cumbrae Community Council. Local residents elect the council members. This council helps connect the islanders with the larger North Ayrshire Council.
Recent Changes and Plans
The Garrison House is a historic building in the town centre. It was built in 1745. It used to be a military barracks and then the home of the Earl of Glasgow. Now, the community owns it.
In 2001, the Garrison House was badly damaged by a fire. The Cumbrae Community Development Company worked hard to get money from the National Lottery and other groups. This allowed them to rebuild the house for the community. After years of work, the building was finished in 2008. It cost about £5 million.
Today, the Garrison House has the Museum of the Cumbraes. It also has a library, council offices, a doctor's surgery, and the Garrison Café.
As of 2022, some new projects are happening on the island:
- A plan to protect the south of the island from floods is being developed.
- A marina (a place for boats) is being planned as part of the flood protection work.
- Millport Town Hall is being brought back into use.
- There's a plan to buy the old National Watersports Centre. The idea is to turn it into a community place called The Wave.
- About 40 new family homes are being built between Millport Bowling Club and Penmachrie Farm.
- In 2011, Millport thought about applying to become a city. This was because it has a cathedral. If it had become a city, it would have been the smallest in the UK!
Jobs and Learning
Millport has a hotel and guest houses. Many properties are also available for holiday rentals. There's also a place for motorhomes to stay for short visits.
The wide, sandy beaches near the town are great for swimming and playing in the water.
One of Millport's most famous sights is the Crocodile Rock. This is a rock on the beach that has been painted to look like a crocodile. It has been there since at least 1913!
Millport is also home to The Wedge, which is said to be the narrowest house in the world. It is only 47 inches (1.2 metres) wide at the front. The house is 22 feet (6.7 metres) long and 11 feet (3.4 metres) wide at its widest part.
Millport Bay is a popular spot for sailors in the summer. There are places for visitors to moor their boats. A small boatyard is at the west end of town. Millport hosts Scotland's biggest independent country music festival every September. There is also a fireworks display in September. The historic paddle steamer PS Waverley visits Millport twice a week in the summer.
Young children on the island go to Cumbrae Primary School. Older children travel to Largs Academy on the mainland for secondary school.
FSC Millport is a special centre for teaching and research about sea life. It started in 1885 when a scientist named Sir John Murray used a floating lab called 'The Ark'. This led to the Millport Marine Biological Station opening in 1897. Another scientist, David Robertson, also known as the 'Cumbrae Naturalist', helped set it up.
In 1970, the station became part of the University of London. In 2014, the Field Studies Council took over. They built new classrooms and places for students to stay. The National Watersports Training Centre used to be here, teaching sports like sailing. It closed in 2020, but a local group hopes to open it again for the community.
Getting Around
Even though Millport feels far away, it's only about an hour from big transport hubs. These include Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Central railway station. You can reach Millport by public transport. Take a train to Largs, then an eight-minute ferry ride. A bus to Millport meets each ferry.
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See also
In Spanish: Millport (North Ayrshire) para niños
