• View from offshore of Millport activity centre

Outdoor learning meets island adventures

Located on the picturesque Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, Field Studies Council Millport is an activity centre in Scotland creating opportunities for learning experiences, discovery, and exploration. Millport offers a unique blend of science, nature, and adventure.

Originally a marine research station, Millport now welcomes schools, groups, and visitors to experience the island’s rich coastal environment. Purpose-built teaching spaces and comfortable accommodation make it an ideal base for outdoor education and fieldwork, while its tranquil island setting invites everyone to connect with nature.

Millport offers the best of both worlds—an exciting island adventure with all the convenience of the mainland. Just an hour from Glasgow, the Isle of Cumbrae is easily accessible via regular ferry, road, rail, and air links. It’s the perfect destination for schools looking for an outdoor activity centre in Scotland that feels unique, inspiring, and close to home.

Eco-friendly and well equipped

Millport is proud of its sustainability credentials, with eco-conscious features including a biomass boiler, green roof, and energy-saving designs throughout the centre. It also boasts a well-equipped Research Vessel, giving students and visitors the chance to explore the marine environment up close.

The island’s shores are teeming with learning opportunities, rocky shores to sandy beaches and rolling hills, Millport offers safe, hands-on activities that support the curriculum and encourage curiosity in learners of all ages.

Why visit Millport?

  • Run by the trusted, qualified and experienced staff
  • A leading outdoor activity centre in Scotland, with expert-led programmes
  • Ideal for school residentials, family days out, and environmental learning
  • Stunning island location with views over the Clyde Sea and Isle of Arran
  • Safe, engaging, and inclusive experiences for all age groups

Find out more about our well-equipped Research Vessel at Millport.

The on-site Robertson Aquarium and Museum, is open Monday – Friday 11am – 3pm.
Please note, the Robertson Museum and Aquarium is currently closed until further notice.

Facilities

  • Capacity: Millport has 154 beds. All of our rooms are ensuite, single, twin or triple.
  • Car Parking: There is car parking available at the centre. There is convenient access for coaches, 3-4 fit comfortably.
  • Children's Facilities: We have games and activities on-site for children aged 8+; however, younger children are welcome.
  • Common Room: We have a common room and a games room for students.
  • Disabled Access: The location has disabled access.
  • Disabled Facilities: We have two disabled access rooms and other ground floor bedrooms available, with easy access.
  • Hot and Cold Drinks: We have hot and cold drinks making facilities accessible around the centre.
  • Kitchen: Fully catered services for most dietary needs are available, as well as packed lunch-making services.
  • Library: We have a large well-stocked scientfic library.
  • Linen: All bedding is provided. Please strip your beds on departure.
  • Lounge: We have an adult lounge area with comfy sofas.
  • Outdoor Clothing: You can hire walking boots, wellingtons, small rucksacks, waterproof trousers and coats
  • Outdoor Facilities: We have a marine research vessel (RV Actinia) capable of deploying a range of marine sampling equipment, rafting facilities and an on site natural rock climbing wall.
  • Shop: Our shop sells drinks, snacks and souvenirs of your stay as well as a selection of Field Studies Council publications.
  • Wi-Fi: Free guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the centre.
  • Workrooms: We have a number of work rooms which all have whiteboards including two classrooms, a brand new lecture theatre seating up to 100 people and four seawater-fed laboratories equipped with microscopy equipment. We also have microscopes available.

Accommodation

We want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Our residential centres offer a range of room sizes and layouts from single and twin up to larger dormitories. Note: not all centres have single/twin rooms. All rooms are subject to availability. Some rooms are en suite and others have shower and toilet facilities close by. Please contact us if you want to discuss your room requirements.

Each centre also has places to relax during any free time such as a lounge, games room and outdoor space.

Food

For one day visits you are usually asked to bring a packed lunch unless it is specified otherwise.

Residential visits include freshly prepared seasonal meals, with a hot breakfast, packed lunch and choice of evening meal. Food is sourced locally wherever possible and we can cater for most dietary requirements. All of our residential centres have been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award which recognises organisations which go the extra mile to make sure visitors are receiving healthy, nutritious and sustainable meals.

To get a better idea on what food we offer at our centres, please see our sample meals

Local area

Travel to Millport

As part of our environmental commitment we encourage all visitors to travel by coach, train or public transport.

By road – The motorway network from Glasgow and the M8, takes you to the A737. The A760 then takes you directly to Largs. Many guests choose to leave their car in Largs, either in the car park on the main promenade next to the ferry port (a postcode for those using sat nav. to this location is KA30 8LZ) or on one of the back roads near the ferry terminal. If you choose to come over on the ferry as a foot passenger, once you have parked in Largs or alighted your coach, simply follow the instructions down below from point (1).
For those who choose to bring their cars or coaches over on the ferry; when you come onto the island turn left and stay on the coast road (do not take the right turn directing you into Millport 400m from the ferry). Stay on this road for 3 km and the Centre is the first set of buildings you will see as you come into a 30mph zone.
Postcode for those using sat nav. is KA28 0EG.

By train/ferry – With the proximity of Largs train station to the Millport ferry and the excellent links to Glasgow Central train station, this is understandably a very popular (and low carbon) way of reaching the Centre. Many guests find it cheaper to book tickets to Glasgow, and then buy a separate ticket for the last short leg of the journey from Glasgow Central to Largs.
(1) Once you arrive in Largs train station simply head out the main exit, and once on the high street you will see the slip way, from where the ferry departs, 100 metres to your left.
(2) To the left of the slip way there is a small ferry office where you can buy a return passenger ticket for under £5. Then board the ferry. Tickets need to be shown at both Largs and Cumbrae slips.
(3) Eight minutes after leaving Largs you will arrive on the Cumbrae Slip, where a bus will be waiting. Currently tickets are £2 for a single journey. The bus stops, about 5 minutes later, outside the Centre, which is at the start of the Millport town 30mph zone.

By air – There is a regular bus service from Glasgow airport to Paisley Gilmour Street train station (on most days, throughout the day, this runs every 10 minutes), currently this route is served by the no. 66 and takes 14 minutes. This 2 mile journey is also possible by taxi.
From Gilmour Street a regular direct train service to Largs takes approximately 45 minutes. Once you arrive at Largs simply follow the instructions above from step (1).
We recommend you take out travel insurance for train and plane in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Accreditations

Courses and Experiences at Millport

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