Millport is known for its beautiful scenery, beaches, cycling, and… shopping?

Well… not necessarily.

Saying that, there are some brilliant wee shops that are always worth dropping into whilst you’re visiting the Isle of Cumbrae.

Spoiler alert: you won’t find any big supermarkets or shopping centres here!

Besides, it’s always best to spend local! Make sure to shop in the local businesses and you’ll leave with the good feeling that you’ve supported our island community.

Here’s a list of some of Millport’s best souvenir shops, gift shops, toy shops, convenience stores, essential shops, and places to buy food & drink…

Looking for something in particular?…

• • Food & Drink
  • Souvenirs & Shopping
  • Essential Shops & Convenience Stores

---

Food & Drink

A list of all the best shops for buying food and drink in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae…

Cumbrae Butchers 🥧

Address: 25 Guildford Street, KA28 0AB

Tel 📞 : 01475 531007

Newly taken over in 2022, the family-run Cumbrae Butchers offers a brilliant selection of fresh meats, including pies, steaks, kebab meat and chicken skewers. Perfect for a BBQ out in the sun or a home-cooked meal.

They also serve delicious pies hot out the oven (perfect if you’re feeling too lazy to cook!).

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Brewbaker ☕

Address: 17 Stuart Street, KA28 0AJ

Tel 📞 : 07449 345089

The island’s very own chocolatier! 🍫

Brewbaker is a fantastic café known for its baking, great coffee, and artisan delights. The menu often changes, but you’ll find the owner Johanna serving up whatever is freshly made on the day.

Beyond the fantastic baking, Brewbaker also makes their own chocolates and truffles.

To be honest, they often look too good to eat…

Opening hours vary. Call ahead on 07449 345089.

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

ℹ️ Top Tip – Many of Millport’s wee shops are family-owned cornerstones of the community. They’re often collecting for local causes that are close to the hearts of the local people. So, keep an eye out for a collection tin at the till, and you can leave a wee lasting legacy of your visit 😊

---

Crocodeli 🐊

Address: 33 Stuart St, KA28 0AJ

Tel 📞 : 01475 531314

Crocodeli is a smashing wee deli known for its takeaway lunches and fresh baking including pastries, baguettes and a variety of breads.

It’s also a bit of a hidden gem for food and drink shopping in Millport as you’ll find a nice variety of cheeses, nibbles, chutneys, craft beers and wines. Sounds like a recipe for a night-in to me!

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Speaking About a Night-in… Fancy a Unique Stay on The Isle of Cumbrae?…

Check out our One-of-a-kind Cabin Hot tub Concept in Millport.

Welcome to the next generation of self-catering accommodation in Scotland.

We think of our unique Cabin Concept as a crossroads where quirky interior design meets eco-consciousness, in a stunning island setting.

👉 Discover The Cabins

---

The Millport Sweet Shop 🍬

Address: 7 Guildford Street, KA28 0AE

Tel 📞 : 01475 530955

Every kid (and adults) paradise – The Millport Sweet Shop.

Certified to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings, here you’ll find sweeties, ice cream, homemade tablet and the iconic Millport Rock.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Hephzi Bee Gift Shop 🍬

Address: 14 Stuart St KA28 0AN

Tel 📞 : 07459 193754

Hephzi Bee Gift Shop is a lovely wee sweetie shop which you’ll find opposite the Millport Pier.

They sell Porelli’s ice cream, retro sweets, pick’n’mix, cold drinks, fresh coffee, and sweet gifts. You’ll be able to pick yourself up a souvenir here too! 

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

By the way…

We’ve also written a blog about all the best cafes, restaurants, and takeaways you can find on the island 🍽

So, whether it’s lunch, dinner, or a quick snack, we’ll make sure you don’t starve.

Check out our Best Places to Eat in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae blog.

---

Souvenirs & Shopping

Looking for souvenir shopping in Millport?

Here’s a list of the best souvenir shops and places for shopping the island…

Isle of Cumbrae Distillers 🍸

Address: 11 Guildford St, KA28 0AE

Tel 📞 : 01475 530173

The wonderful Isle of Cumbrae Distillers!

Not only are they serving up delicious craft gin through their tour and tasting sessions, but they also have a delightful gift shop too.

Inside you’ll find coasters, tasting glasses, cocktail recipes, and (of course) a wide selection of bottled gin.

The perfect stop for gin lovers and those looking to buy a memento to remember their trip!

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Cumbrae Crafts 🧵

Address: Garrison Courtyard, KA28 0DJ

Tel 📞 : 07961 020943

You’ll find Cumbrae Crafts tucked away in the grounds of the Garrison courtyard, just opposite the café.

It’s a lovely craft shop selling locally made soap, candles, cards, knitting and jewellery.

Pop in for a look around and pick up a gift or souvenir!

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Mapes of Millport 🧸

Address: 4-5 Guildford Street, KA28 0AE

Tel 📞 : 01475 530444

Half bicycle hire, half toy shop. Yip! Mapes of Millport aren’t only known for their top-tier bicycle hire.

You’ll find all sorts of wonders in their shop including a huge selection of games, party supplies, fishing & outdoor equipment and beach toys.

Ideal for picking up equipment as you prepare for a day of fun exploring the island!

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Driftwood & Dahlia 🪵

Address: 19 Cardiff Street, KA28 0AS

Tel 📞 : 07817 141410

Driftwood & Dahlia is a small family business creating handcrafted furniture and accessories out of reclaimed wood in their workshop.

Pick up a new addition for your home or garden, or even drop by for a visit to their lovely little on-site garden centre.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Cumbrae Yarns 🧶

Address: Stuart Street, KA28 0AN

A lovely wool shop on a beautiful wee island.

Cumbrae Yarns offers a colourful collection of wools, accessories, and instruction books for all of your crocheting and knitting needs.

The perfect spot if you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or brush off those old hooks or needles.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

All Seasons Gift Shop 🎁

Address: 35 Stuart Street, KA28 0AJ

Tel 📞 : 01475 530574

All Seasons is a treasure trove of all sorts of souvenirs, postcards and Millport-themed gifts.

A great place if you’re looking to pick up a gift or a keepsake to remember your trip to the island.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Essential Shops

A handy list of essential shops, convenience stores and a pharmacy in Millport, Isle of Cumbrae…

Pharmacy 🏥

Address: 30 Stuart St, KA28 0AJ

Tel 📞 : 01475 530248

You’ll find the local Cumbrae Pharmacy right in the heart of Millport town, for medical advice and medication.

So, whether it’s hay fever season or you’ve got a headache in the morning after being in the Tavern Bar, they’ve got you covered.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Cumbrae Laundry & Eco-Shop ♻️

Address: 37 Stuart Street, KA28 0AJ

Tel 📞 : 01475 531308

They LOVE laundry!

At the Cumbrae Laundry & Eco-Shop, you can either use their coin-operated self-service machines, or they’ll happily offer you wash, dry, fold, and ironing services.

They offer eco cleaning products, bamboo products and items to help you reduce single-use plastics – nice one!

They also have ambitions to sell refill food products in the future (but not quite yet).

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Daltons DIY & Hardware Store 🛠️

Address: 39 Stuart Street, KA28 0AG

Tel 📞 : 01475 530685

You’ll find Dalton’s DIY & Hardware selling all sorts of products for fix-up projects, handy work, and repairs!

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Caldwell’s Newsagent 📰

Address: 3-6 Stuart Street, KA28 0AN

Tel 📞 : 01475 530344

Caldwell’s Newsagent has been a Millport newsagent since 1958. Selling wine, beers, spirits and confectionery.

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Premier Store 🛒

Address: 22-24 Guildford Street, KA28 0AB

Tel 📞 : 01475 530404

The Premier Store is an off-licence shop in Millport selling groceries, chilled drinks, frozen foods, filled rolls and fruit and veg.

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Webb’s Newsagents & Convenience Store 📰

Address: 15 Glasgow St, KA28 0DJ

Tel 📞 : 01475 530324

Webb’s Newsagent and Convenience Store is a family-run newsagent selling groceries and confectionery.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

So, there you have it…

Shopping in Millport certainly isn’t the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about going on a shopping spree, but for a wee town on a wee island, there are plenty of local businesses to choose from.

Always remember to do your bit and shop local, whenever you can!

It helps small businesses and gives you the feel-good factor that you’ve supported the community that you’re visiting – what’s not to love!?

Thanks, and hope you have a brilliant visit 😊

---

Before You Go… Fancy a Unique Stay on The Isle of Cumbrae?…

Check out our One-of-a-kind Cabin Concept in Millport.

Welcome to the next generation of self-catering accommodation in Scotland.

We think of our unique Cabin Concept as a crossroads where quirky interior design meets eco-consciousness, in a stunning island setting.

👉 Discover The Cabins

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

Known as “Scotland’s Most Accessible Island”, The Isle of Cumbrae boasts amazing scenery, walks, wildlife, experiences, and spectacular views across the River Clyde.

But there’s something else quite special about this wee island.

It is home to a collection of quirky rock formations that are scattered around the island. Over the years these rocks have become famous landmarks and they’re bound to catch your eye as you’re travelling around the island’s 10-mile outer circuit.

---

Feel free to skip right through: ⤵️

• • Crocodile Rock
  • Lion Rock
  • Indian Rock
  • The Glaidstone

---

Crocodile Rock 🐊

A bizarre stone beast lurking on the shores of Millport bay… Fortunately, you’ll find that it’s more amusing than alarming.

This Crocodile Rock can be found on the beach in Millport town and is the most recognisable out of all the rocks. In fact, it’s actually considered to be one of Scotland’s “quirkiest, best-known landmarks”.

In 2013 the crocodile marked it’s 100-year anniversary which now makes the crocodile 109 years old – pretty good going if you ask me!

But how did the Crocodile Rock come to be? Well… the story goes, one day back in 1913, a local artist by the name of Robert Brown was having a couple of lunchtime pints – as you do – in Millport’s Tavern Bar.

Robert’s nickname happened to be ‘Tadger’. I’m not sure why, and I’m not sure if I want to know…    

Anyway, as he stumbled along the promenade, he noticed that a group of rocks along the shore bared a certain reptilian resemblance. In his perhaps typsy state, he decided that he would head home to grab his paints and brush, and returned to create what we now know as the Crocodile Rock.  

The croc’s world-famous face is now kept freshly painted ahead of each summer season by volunteers from the local Burns Club. 

Crocodile Rock has been quite the inspiration for many local businesses since. For example, the Isle of Cumbrae Distillers latest creation is called the ‘Croc Rock’ gin – a gin that has quite the snap… 

(I’ve made some terrible puns in my time, but that’s gotta be down there with the worst.)

Anyway, you’ll also see businesses around the town with names like the ‘Crocodeli’, The ‘Croc Rock studio apartment’ AirBnb, and the Crocodile chippy.  

 It’s even inspired local menu items, like Crocodile Style Chips from the that same chippy, and the Crocodile Style Burger from the local Burger Shack, which let me tell you, has quite the bite…

Right, that’s the end of the puns, I promise.  

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Lion Rock 🦁

You’ll find the Lion Rock sitting proudly on the east side of the Isle of Cumbrae. It’s like something straight out of the pride lands of the Lion King movie.  

The pre-historic rock formation is 10 meters high, 50 meters long, and has been about for 65 million years, believe it or not. 

Its unique lion shape was caused by a dyke of Labradorite rock intruding into the existing Old Red Sandstone (that’s geology talk for one rock forcing itself inside another).

Then in the last ice age, the shifting glaciers wore down the soft sandstone, exposing the labradorite dyke which has since been weathered to the shape resembling a lion that we see today:

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Planning your visit to the Isle of Cumbrae? 📝

This blog post is part of our ‘Ultimate Guide’ to the island. Check it out by clicking the link below:

• • The Ultimate Guide to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

• ---

  Fancy a Unique Stay on The Isle of Cumbrae?…

  Check out our One-of-a-kind Hot Tub Cabin Concept in Millport.

  

  Welcome to the next generation of self-catering accommodation in Scotland.

  We think of our one-of-a-kind Cabin Concept as a crossroads where quirky interior design meets eco-consciousness, in a stunning island setting.

  👉 Discover The Cabins

 

---

Indian Rock 🪨

Now, this guy is slightly harder to spot – The Indian Rock. You’ll find this landmark tucked away in the trees as you’re coming round the west side of the island. Not going to lie… he’s a wee bit creepy.

This guy was painted in the 1920’s and has been perched up there within the forestry ever since.

Legend says that it was first painted by a local man known as ‘Fern Andy’ who was apparently an old cave hermit. It is said that Fern Andy used to live in a cave on the west side of the island and would fashion fern baskets to sell to the local people – hence the name he acquired.

Supposedly, the ‘nose’ of the rock was first painted to be used as a guide for sailors coming into the stone jetty just up the coast. Then, the face came afterwords at some point in the 1920s, thanks to Millport’s famous cave hermit, Fern Andy. 

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

The Glaidstone 🧭

Now, this one isn’t part of the famous ‘Cumbrae Rock Trio’, but it’s well worth a mention.

You can find the Glaidstone – pronounced ‘Glaid-stane’ – up at the very top of the island, which is at a height of 417 feet (127m). To put that into perspective, a Munro is anything over 3,000 feet so it’s certainly not the tallest peak in Scotland.

Saying that, the views you get are incredible, and it’s 100% worth the jaunt up to see it when you’re visiting the Isle of Cumbrae.

You’ll find the Glaidstone on the Inner Circuit walk.

Once up there, you get the full benefit of 360-degree panoramic views around the island, the neighboring Clyde islands of Wee Cumbrae, Arran, Bute, and the mainland coast of North Ayrshire.

On a clear day, it’s nothing short of spectacular and you might be able to see as far south as Ailsa Craig.

 

Back to Menu ⤴️

---

Ultimate Guide to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae 📝

For everything you need to know about planning your visit to the island, check out our full guide:

• • The Ultimate Guide to Millport, Isle of Cumbrae