High Isles - Cumbrae Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a relatively simple cache near the highest point on the Island of Cumbrae just of the West coast of Scotland, within spitting distance of Glasgow. The height gain is fairly small, as is the distance.
This cache belongs to a new series started recently by the Mugdock Mudpies (a family of four from Glasgow,) that has plans to put caches on the highest points on various islands in Scotland. On some islands the cache could be relatively simple, Barra for example, but a cache on the highest point of Skye would be a little more interesting!!
Cumbrae is known as classic family day-out destination from the Glasgow area, especially for those with young children looking for a day at the seaside and a chance to practice their cycling skills in safe surroundings. The circular road hugs the coast and is as flat as a pancake for the 11 miles or so of the circuit. Millport, the only village on the island has bike hire shops and is a few miles from the ferry terminal. As a bus meets the ferry, there is no need to take a car. Fortunately few do, and those that do soon realise that bikes rule the roads and thus tend to drive with care. Pubs and tea shops are plentiful in Millport, and a recently refurbished café half way down the West coast in Fintry Bay conveniently splits the journey.
September can be a good time to visit as the brambles are at their best, but progress can be slow if you are as greedy as us! You might be lucky (or unlucky if seeking a quieter visit) of timing your tour with the annual Country & Western Week-end, when you could be run out of town by a posse of gun-waving cowboys and deafened by loud C&W music. This is usually early September but it does mean there is usually a more frequent ferry service. A round-the-island road race happens about the same time. Check www.millport.org for details on events, bike hire etc. Another cache lies reasonably close by, check the write-up for a few further details.
To reach this cache will require a bit more effort than the traditional circular tour of the island. The views from the top make the steep climb (on bike or foot) well worthwhile. First find the panoramic map on the top of the Glaid Stone at 127m. You’ll then need to head back towards Glasgow a couple of hundred metres. If you’re too right you’ll get wet feet ! Also the area around the cache is prone to becoming very boggy after lots of rain so a pair of wellies might be a good idea! Then go scouting around the boulders. It’s well hidden but watch out for adders!
If relying on your GPS you’ll have been directed to the Glaid Stone, and not the cache itself. For that, find out the height of the summit in feet from the map on a carin. Then work out the co-ordinates below using the formula:- Height = ABC ft. Substitute these numbers for the letters in the co-ordinates below:-
N 55° 46. (A-B) (C-A) (A-B)
W 004° 55. B C (3B + A)–C
Don’t worry, this is easier than it looks!!
A few goodies have been left in the box, a small note book, a Clyde Sailing Club badge, but more importantly a notebook to fill in!
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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