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Argyll and Bute

Scalpsie Bay

A quiet red-sand bay on Bute's west coast, with a seal colony on its rocks and Arran across the water.

Welcome

Scalpsie Bay is a quiet curve of reddish sand on the west coast of Bute, facing south across the Sound of Bute to the mountains of Arran, a few miles away over the water.

It is a five-minute walk from the road along a signposted path, and there are two small parking places on the A844, one just east of the hamlet of Scalpsie and one near the spot called Seal View.

This is the place on Bute to see seals: a colony of around two hundred lives along this shore, best watched from Seal View. Keep your distance and they will usually carry on lounging on the rocks. The viewpoint above the road looks over the bay to Arran and the Holy Isle, one of the finest views on the island, and the bay was used for training during the Second World War.

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The Daily for 9 November, from Scotland with love. an autumn-wooded loch reflected in still water, rocks breaking the surface in the foreground
A short drive awayIsle of ButeAn island in the Firth of Clyde, a train and a short ferry from Glasgow, with a round moated castle, Mount Stuart and sandy bays.6 min by roadSee itRothesay Castle's round walls behind its moat.

Before you go

Park at either of the two parking areas on the A844, and follow the signposted path to the beach, about five minutes.

Parking
Two areas on the A844.
Walk
About five minutes.
Seals
Around 200, seen from Seal View.

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Where it is

The west coast of Bute.

Close byOn Bute.
  1. A bus on the shore road round the wide sandy bay, the village beyond.Kilchattan BayA Victorian village on a wide bay in the south of Bute, once a tile works and a steamer stop, where the West Island Way begins.5 miles 9 min by road
  2. The roofless gable of St Mary's Chapel among the graves.St Mary’s ChapelThe roofless chancel of Rothesay's medieval church, with the canopied tombs of a Stewart knight and an unknown lady.5 miles 8 min by road
  3. Rothesay's seafront terraces rising above the bay.Rothesay TownBute's Victorian resort town on a wide bay, with a moated castle, a royal charter of 1401 and celebrated toilets on the pier.6 miles 8 min by road
  4. The castle walls reflected in the moat.Rothesay CastleThe round, moated castle of the Stewarts in the middle of Rothesay, with Scotland's only circular curtain wall.6 miles 8 min by road
  5. The wide sands of Ettrick Bay at low tide.Ettrick BayA mile of golden sand on the north-west coast of Bute, looking across to Arran, with a tearoom at the back of the beach.9 miles 12 min by road
Directions
Rothesay Castle's round walls behind its moat.AttractionsIsle of Bute4.0 miles
Display cases of birds and finds in Bute Museum's hall.AttractionsBute Museum5.7 miles
The white shopfront of Musicker on Rothesay's High Street, its name on a green sign above the windows.CafeMusicker5.8 miles
The Kettledrum café on its corner in Rothesay, a red shopfront with CAFE in white letters above the door.CafeKettledrum Café5.9 miles
The front of Ambience on Victoria Street, Rothesay, under its blue awning.RestaurantsAmbience Café6.0 miles
The ruins of St Blane's under a blue sky.AttractionsSt Blane's Chapel6.2 miles
Mount Stuart's red sandstone front across the lawns.AttractionsMount Stuart7.0 miles
The low brick café at Ettrick Bay on a sunny day, with blue pillars and doors, benches and parasols along the front.CafeEttrick Bay Café9.2 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bay, and when each is next free.

The Hollies, Argyll and ButeThe Hollies
  • Sleeps 18
  • In Tighnabruaich
  • 10 miles from Scalpsie Bay
Check datesGlenstriven House, a white Victorian house with grey stone corners, at the top of a gravel drive between lawns, with a wooded hill behind.Glenstriven House
  • Sleeps 15
  • In Argyll and Bute
  • 12 miles from Scalpsie Bay
Free 10–12 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in Argyll and ButeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Argyll and Bute.

CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
More in Argyll and Bute

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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .