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A question about Cumbrae's famous rocks

21 Feb 2009
  • Indian Rock
  • Queen Victoria Rock
  • Lion Rock
Steve Edwards asked an interesting question in our Area & History story 'Illuminations of yesteryear' today:

First of all, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful memories with the rest of us. Some of my best memories as a boy are trips we took to Millport. It has been many years since I've been back on Scottish soil, but the memories still seem like yesterday.

I have a question for any of you, I remember from my childhood a number of rock formations that were painted to represent different things. In particular, crocodile rock, and I seem to remember another painted with a face on it. My question is, how many of those formations are there, and does anyone know how long ago they acquired their "artwork", and if there's any story behind them?
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22 Feb 2009 | 12:39:44

Paul Watling says

Hi Steve,

All rocks are still here. The crocodile was painted by a retired architect, Robert Brown, in the early 20th century (1913 ?). He came out of the tavern after his regular lunchtime tipple & remarked that the rock looked remarkably like a crocodile, the next day he took it upon himself to paint it. It's been freshened up many times since but the black, red & white colours you still see today are the same colours used by Robert Brown.

The Indian's face is round at Bell Bay. This was possibly done by Fern Andy who lived in a cave near the targets & sold ferns in the 1920's (?). It is probable that the 'eyes' were painted as a guide point for boats sometime previously.

The Lion Rock is just along from the Marine Biological Station. Its proper name is Houloon Keipel Dyke & it's a natural rock formation from volcanic lava - but the folklore story is that good elves were building a bridge to the mainland (Heatherene keipel Dyke - which is almost behind the Marine Station), the bad ogres tried to copy them but didn't do it very well, so kicked holes in the bottom & it ended up looking like a lion. As lions are frightening to elves, they all ran off & you'll never see an elf on the east side of the island today!

Queen Victoria's face is another natural formation in the Red Craigs cliffs at Farland Point. The profile is still there but probably eroding slowly.

There are numerous natural rock formations on the Island but these four are the ones that people remember & talk about.

22 Feb 2009 | 1:57:27

Paul Watling says

Oops!! Should have been spelt Houllon Keipel Dyke!!

22 Feb 2009 | 3:13:40

steve edwards says

I am in the process of writing a modern day fantasy story about the little people and Scotland. I had come across the folklore recently, but your explanation of it is wonderful!

In the story I wanted to give a description of Millport circa 1947, but needed to confirm that the Indian face and crocodile rock would have already been painted...

The only problem is, when I close my eyes, and think of Millport, I get caught up in my own memories and wish I were there again. Thank you so much for sharing.

22 Feb 2009 | 7:49:24

Paul Watling says

If you're writing a fantasy about the 'little people' don't forget about the Sheughands. These are the hills up golf road at the West end of Millport. In fact the first hole of the golf course is on the Sheughands.
Sheughands means "Mounts of the Fairy Folk".

22 Feb 2009 | 8:05:45

Sandy Morton says

I'll post the poem about the Lion Rock if I can find it - if not can anyone else who has a copy post it?

It starts "Twas in the year of auld lang syne"

23 Feb 2009 | 12:06:10

Graeme Smith says

There's a new feature on s1play - which is the Scottish what's on site run by the same people who provide s1millport - which lets people put up their recommendations for things to do in Scotland. As it happens, I wrote a wee piece about rock-spotting around the island. You can see it here: www.s1play.com/out-and-about/recommendation-Millport-rocks-45.html

24 Feb 2009 | 10:14:34

Sandy Morton says

Nice article Graeme but the Man's Face is after Fintry whereas your article seems to indicate that it's before it. Other notable rocks are the volcanic "bombs" (solidified lava) just after Fintry Cafe at the brow of the hill and slightly further on is the volcanic plug. The hill behind the ferry cottage is reputed to have the remains of a vitrified fort on it (rocks fused together by fire).

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