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Millport memories

Here are memories of Millport and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Millport or a Millport photo.

The Long Walk to Hire A Trike

Millport to me was, as I'm sure it was to most who have visited over the years a place where cars were few and pedal power ruled. All my memories of Millport as a child involved a long walk over the hill from the ferry, then to one of the bike hire shops to pick up my transportation for the day. Even though I was quite capable of riding a bicycle I often hired a trike as they were big and stable and a bit of a treat. Millport was the only place that had bikes of all shapes and sizes. Trikes were for kids who could not ride a bike but on Millport, mainland rules didn't apply. I have fond memories of racing my cousins and sister along the beach front. I was a tourist from Saltcoasts then, now I live in Perth, Western Australia. There is an island not far off the coast here called Rottnest. Cars are also few and far between and pedal power still rules... Read more

Memories of Isle of Cumbrae

Seafront Zoo

I have vague memories of a zoo on the water front at Largs. It definitely had a monkey that got loose inside the small building on occasions and would steal your scarf.  There may also have been various birds. Can anyone refresh or debunk this memory? Any details would be welcome.

Nardini's

I was only a boy of 13 maybe 14 but we Kilbirnie folk regularly did the casual work, waitering ect, to the bus runs. Then on a Saturday night it was a great dance hall. I remember well dancing the night away with some middle-aged bit. The walk home over the Halyie brae was not so much fun but I always got back.

Sea-Front Zoo

I remember the zoo, I used to work in it. Email: teddieboyce@talktalk.net

Largs Zoo

As distant memory serves me, the zoo was the brain-child of a local man by the name of Frank Roche. He was also owner of two rea-painted boats which were used for taking tourists on tours around the Cumbraes. They were "Comet" and "Carefree". Unlike the other four boat hirers, who plied their trade from the shore, Mr Roche kept his clinker-built, former crash tender styled vessels at the pier, where he picked up and dropped off passengers. The zoo was in the southern half of a long, two-decked concrete structure that had been the bathing station, run by the Largs burgh council. There were two monkeys ,Frank named them "Hing" and "Doon". Forgive me, but we locals thought the zoo was a bit of a rip off.

Rothesay in Wartime

My father, 'John' Johnson, was a chaplain in the Royal Navy from 1943-46. He was based on HMS Cyclops, the submarine depot ship, in Rothesay harbour The family accompanied him to Rothesay and we lived at 2, Desmond Bank for a time and in other places. My Dad occasionally helped with services at a Presbyterian church in Rothesay. I attended school for the first time in Rothesay with my elder brother Tim.
My memories of the area are dim but I visited last summer and revived some of them. I remember from my childhood some high swings at Kilchattan bay (no longer there) and finding a duck egg while walking in woods at Ascog (later put into a cake by Mum!). I remember a boy taking us to a pond and saying to us 'If ye're not there in two ticks, I'll murder ye!' - still the only thing I can say in a convincing Scottish accent! I remember VE day with the ships lit up in the bay.
Last... Read more

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