THERE are few watering-places in
the Firth of Clyde which have proved more winsome and
attractive than Millport, in the Isle of Cumbrae. As the
visitor from Largs or Fairlie approaches the pier by
steamboat, he finds himself in the bossom of a deep sunny
bay, which faces the south and delights the eye with a
beautiful picture of green engirdling hills and lofty red
cliffs. The general features of the scene are singularly
pleasing and varied. Within the two wing-like
promontories which, on east and west, enfold the waters
of the bay, lie a number of sheltering rock-islets; and
the innermost shore-line presents a beautiful arrangement
of fine bathing sands, which are separated or intersected
by picturesque dispositions of rock. The houses of the
village hug the shore, --every one as radiant as summer
sunshine and beautiful white stone can make it. The more
recently built villas bend round the sinuosities of the
bays or adorn the terraced heights; while over all a
number of handsome churches crown the scene, imparting
beauty and dignity to it by their noble presence. A
sloping background of well-tilled fields and green hills
give fine effect to the harmonious blending of all the
more salient features of the landscape, and the seas-side
portion of the picture presents an animated spectacle of
happy juveniles, disporting on the sands or plunging into
the clear waters of the briny bath. Seared yachts and
yawls are cruising about, and look like lovely sea-birds
skimming the main, while a scattered multitude of little
boats, filled with happy occupants, are paddling about
the bay or moving gaily around the islets. On a fine
summer afternoon or evening the scene is superb, and
becomes all the more so when the tall red cliffs of the
Farland glow like burnished bronze as the western sun
throws its full blaze of light upon them. Farther away,
but in fine weather always clearly visible, are the lofty
sky-piercing peaks of the two great Goatfells in Arran,
the towering horn of Keervohr and the majestic pike of
Greenan Ahval in the same island; Torr-mor and Suy Blane
in the south of Bute; Ailsa Craig in the far distance,
rising loftily above the waves like a vast conical
watch-tower; and Holy Island, or Melansey, near Lamlash.
In the nearer foreground, as one looks southward, rises
the finely trap-terraces and crag-adorned Isle of Little
Cumbrae, or Wee Cumra, its eastern shore guarded by a
strong and well-preserved ancient castle. Over against
this grim old fortalice, but on a rocky ness or point of
the Ayrshire coast, stands a castle of similar age and
build--the old castle of Pencorse, or Portcrosch--once
the residence of royalty, and long held by a noble
ayrshire family of the name of Ross.
Between this castle-crowned
promontary and the lofty ridge of the Kaim Hill above
Fairlie, a landscape of unrivalled beauty unfolds itself
to the eye of the observer, and is daily seen, as from
the most favourable view-point, from the shores of
Cumbrae. To the left or east of the old weather-word
castle on the point there is a prominent hill crowned
with a vitrified fort, and designated Auld-hill--a
probable contraction for Aulbury-hill. A little farther
to the left, as the coast tends northwards, the eye rests
upon the lofty and picturesque cliffs of Ardneil--a name
which signifies the hill or promontory of the precipice.
Following in the same direction we have next a fine view
of the beautiful hills and tree-clad slopes of
Goldenberry, or Goudenbury--a Norse compound denoting the
heroes' camp.
HUNTERSTON House--stands on the
lower grounds of the King's hunters--stands on the lower
grounds which form its own proper demesne, and looks out
upon the waters of the firth from its green environment
of woods. Paltreath is its ancient name, and the fact
becomes the more interesting when we see that it
signifies the chieftain's residence. The green hills in
the distance, to the back of Hunterston, lie along the
eastern side of the parish of West Kilbride.
Caldron-gattel is the name of one of the summits, and
signifies the burying-place of the Celtic chiefs--the
cairns being still intact. It is well seen over the Red
Farland crag as one stands on the eastern slope of
Trahoun-hill, near the public school. Kaim Hill is the
much higher ridge, which is seen farther to the left, its
height being 1270 feet. St. Annan's chapel site and the
charming village of Fairlie lie at the foot of its green
slopes, but are not visible from the station at Trahoun.
