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Argyll & Bute Accommodation
Bute seafront - a traditional Victorian seaside resort
Rothesay Castle once the ancestral home of the Stuarts
The neo-gothic pile that is Mount StuartIsle of Bute Tourist Information Argyll and Bute Scotland
The Isle of Bute is just two hours away from Glasgow in southern Argyll in the Firth of Clyde. It's separated from the Cowal Peninsula by the narrow sea, the Kyles of Bute. Its heyday was as a Victorian seaside resort where steamers chugged along the Clyde taking trippers out from Rothesay.
The northern half of Bute is hilly with its highest peaks Windy Hill at 913 feet and Torran Turach at 746 feet. If you're into hill climbing you'll be rewarded with views out over the Kyles of Bute. The southern half is lower and largely cultivated for farming. There is a lovely sandy beach at Kilchattan Bay south of Rothesay and Loch Fad in the middle of the island is a freshwater loch popular for fishing.
Rothesay Tourist Information Isle of Bute Scotland
Rothesay is Bute's only town and still evokes that Victorian era where taking the waters and convalescing by the sea was popular. The mild climate still makes it an attractive holiday destination where walks along the palm fringed prom is an educational walk in time through seaside architecture with the Art Deco pavilion and the 1920s pagoda built to house the Winter Gardens. This now houses the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre. It showcases the attractions of the island through multimedia displays and houses the Genealogy Centre run by the Sons & Daughters of Bute. The Tourist Information Centre is also housed here. The Winter Garden, Victoria Street Rothesay, PA20 0AH, Email: info@rothesay.visitscotland.com
If you get caught short, visit Rothesay Pier to experience the Victorian grandeur of the Victorian Toilets. Decorative ceramic tiles cover the interior and demonstrate the magnificence the Victorians expected of their facilities! South of Rothesay more Victoriana can be found at Ascog Hall built in 1844 surrounded by gardens and a Victorian fernery. Fern growing was a popular pastime in the Victorian era. They enjoyed bringing sub-tropical plants back to Britain and tried growing them on. It was the sort of misguided examination of natural history that resulted in the uprooting of all kinds of plants from their native lands. However, much was learnt about ferns through this process. At Ascog the fernery has been restored and is a beautiful structure in its own right and includes the only survivor from the original collection, thought to be 1000 years old! Ascog is open from Easter-end October, from 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Wallace & Katherine Fyfe, Ascog Hall, Ascog, Isle Of Bute PA20 9EU. Tel: 017 0050 4555.
Bute Museum in Rothesay elaborates on the island's archaeology, history and natural including more on the Clyde Steamers. Open Mon-Sat Apr Sept 10.30am-4.30pm. Sun: 2.30-4.30pm. 7 Stuart Street, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, PA20 0EP. Tel: 01700 505067.
There are a variety of events on Bute including the annual Isle of Bute Jazz Festival. This usually takes place on the first weekend of May. A variety of acts including well known names perform at a variety of venues in Rothesay. Check the link right for more information.
Ferries to the Isle of Bute
There are two ferry crossings to the Isle of Bute; car passenger ferry from Wemyss Bay and the smaller Colintraive ferry from the Cowal Peninsula. Caledonian MacBrayne runs both services. The ferry from Wemyss Bay takes just half an hour and there are frequent sailings every forty five minutes at peak times.
The Colintraive CalMac ferry departs from the place of the same name on the south of the Cowal Peninsula across the Kyles of Bute. It is just a five minute crossing to Rhubodach on Bute. The crossings are again frequent, so if you miss the boat you won't have to wait long for the next one. This crossing also takes cars.
Check the CalMac website for up-to-date timetables and prices for all journeys, weblink right or contact CalMac direct on tel: 08705 650000. Fax: 01475 635235. Email: reservations@calmac.co.uk. If you're planning a few ferry journeys it might be worth investing in one of the Island Hopscotch or Island Rover tickets. These are valid for several journeys between islands and can be more cost effective than buying the tickets for each journey separately. Again, check the CalMac website for up-to-date prices and offers.
One old steamer is still operating, the Waverley. Famous throughout Britain's coastal resorts the Waverley sails between a variety of the Western Isles, Oban and Glasgow including the Isle of Bute, Dunoon, Kintyre and the Isle of Arran in Argyll.
Scottish Castles Rothesay Castle - Mount Stuart Isle of Bute
The Isle of Bute has been inhabited by man for over 5,000 years and there are a range of historic sites to be explored including standing stones, cists and a vitrified fort in the south at Dungoil Bay.
Bute is the seat of the Stuarts, Kings of Scotland and Rothesay Castle was their ancestral home. Built 800 years ago its circular design is unique to Scotland. Its ruins are in the middle of Rothesay town and open to visitors Mon-Sat 9.30am -7pm and Sunday 2-7pm. Closed Thursday afternoons and Fridays during the winter. Telephone 01700 502691. Events are often held at the castle including musical events, historic re-enactments and you can organise your wedding here.
The Stuarts later moved to Mount Stuart which suffered a fire and replaced by the grand neo-Gothic Mount Stuart designed by the third Marquess of Bute and his architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson.
Mount Stuart house and 300 acre gardens are open to visitors: Easter weekend and daily from 1 May-30 September 2007 (inclusive). Gardens open: 10am-6pm daily. House open Sun-Fri 11am-5pm. Saturday 10am-2pm. The entrance fee to the house includes a guided tour. The house also has a contemporary visual arts gallery and restaurant.
Isle of Bute Outdoor Activities
Apart from being a pleasant seaside resort, the Isle of Bute is popular for a wide range of outdoor activities. The southern half is lower and largely cultivated for farming. There is a lovely sandy beach at Kilchattan Bay south of Rothesay and Loch Fad in the middle of the island is a freshwater loch popular for fishing.
For exploring the island on foot you can try the West Island Way. This is a long distance route running the length of the route just short of 30 miles. The walks takes you by seashore, moorland, farmland and forest and can be easily walked on two lengthy days. More information is available from the Visit Bute link right or the Bute Countryside Rangers on tel: 01700 503858.
Rothesay Bay is popular for watersports including windsurfing, dingy sailing, water or jet skiing. Diving trips are also popular particularly around the east coast of Bute around Ascog.
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