Introduction
This is the last of seven posts covering our Island-Hopping Whisky Trail trip in August/September 2021.
| 6 | Cowal Peninsula & Isle of Bute |
| 7 | Wemyss Bay & Largs |
Return to the mainland
Having slipped quietly into Bute via the back door, we left rather more boldly via the front, i.e. aboard the Rothesay – Wemyss Bay ferry. Appropriately enough, the sailing was operated by MV Bute.
Wemyss Bay Station
The Inverclyde village of Wemyss Bay – in common with the two villages in Fife, the main part of the name is pronounced “weems” – is well known as the boarding point for the ferry to Rothesay. Less well appreciated is the fact that the station building here is one of the finest examples of railway architecture in Scotland, or even the UK. Dating from 1903 and attaining Category A ‘listed’ status in 1971, it features a glass and steel roof and the overall look is one of sweeping, gracious curves. Having just driven off the ferry, we took the time to park and have a look, before going any further.
Largs
The North Ayrshire town of Largs (population ~11,250) lies just 7 miles south of Wemyss Bay and serves as the ferry port for the island of Great Cumbrae. Like Rothesay, it is a traditional Clyde Coast resort, but unlike the Bute town, it struck me as being a survivor of change that was still doing rather well in the 21st century.
We walked out to the ‘Pencil’ monument commemorating the Battle of Largs (1263). Scottish victory in this conflict led to the end of Viking raids on the west coast, and also to Scotland’s reacquisition of the Hebrides, following a period of Norwegian control.
