Spending A Day On The Isle Of Bute
Written by Graeme Johncock
If there’s one Scottish island that gets overlooked far too often, it’s the Isle of Bute. It took me far too long to make my first visit there, but once I did, I was immediately hooked. Just a short ferry ride from Wemyss Bay, this wee island blew me away and it’s somewhere I’m determined to convince more people to visit!
Rothesay Town
Begin your day in the obvious place – Rothesay. It’s the main settlement on the Isle of Bute and was once a major destination for Victorian holidaymakers. Nowhere is that more obvious than the Victorian Toilets beside the ferry terminal. It’s a slightly odd visitor attraction, but the elaborate marble...
Rothesay Castle
It’s impossible to miss Rothesay Castle, the medieval walls proudly standing guard right in the middle of the town. This is one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland, built the protect the island from the Vikings. It was home to the Stewards of Scotland who would go on to...
Bute Museum
I love a local museum. There’s so much history around the Isle of Bute and you can learn all about it at Bute Museum. It’s small, but there’s a lot packed in from every chapter of the island’s past!
St Mary’s Chapel
On the outskirts of Rothesay, most visitors would drive straight past St Mary’s Chapel without another look. Tucked away to the side of the United Church, this medieval chancel dates back over 700 years. It’s tiny, but inside you’ll find two incredible carved effigies of an unknown members of nobility,...
Lunch at Ambience Café
It’s best to grab lunch before leaving Rothesay behind and my pick of the cafes is Ambience. I usually stick with soup and a sandwich, but there are plenty of bigger options if you’re looking for more of a meal!
Mount Stuart House
After a relaxing drive around Bute’s coast, step into the most popular attraction on the island – Mount Stuart House. This luxurious mansion was where the Stuarts of Bute moved to as a more modern home than old Rothesay Castle. It was entirely rebuilt by the 3rd Marquess of Bute...
St. Blane's Chapel
Almost at the very far south of Bute, a short walk uphill leads to my personal favourite place on the island. There’s something very special about St Blane’s Chapel, an overwhelming feeling of history and serenity that’s hard to put into words. Set in a wee hollow surrounded by trees,...
Scalpsie Bay Beach
Bute has a wealth of beautiful beaches, but my pick of the bunch is Scalpsie Bay. There’s a good chance you’ll spot seals near the golden, sandy beach, but the real highlight is the views across to the Isle of Arran. It’s a beautiful spot to end the day as...
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