Argyll and Bute

Spending a Day on the Isle of Bute

A day by car, from Rothesay Town to Scalpsie Bay Beach.

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!

How: A day by car
Distance: About 16 miles
Starts: Rothesay Town
Ends: Scalpsie Bay Beach
Good for: Food and drink, Castles, History, Islands, Beaches, A rainy day

The day

Rothesay Town
An attraction
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 and interesting design draws more than a few curious heads through the door. Rothesay is nowhere near as busy as it once was, but a walk down the palm-lined promenade gives you great views and a couple of curiosities. Get your picture taken with the “I Love Bute” sign or cross back and forward from the Highlands to the Lowlands over the marked boundary line!
More about Rothesay Town
The rest of this day is for members.
7 more stops, what to do at each, and the drive between them. Members read every one of our days, and the magazine.
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Rothesay Castle
An attraction
Bute Museum
An attraction
St Mary’s Chapel
An attraction
Ambience Café
Food and drink
Mount Stuart
An attraction
St Blane's Chapel
An attraction
Scalpsie Bay Beach
An attraction