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Isle of Bute - a favourite holiday destination

Author Holiday West Highland |

At the tiny ferry stage at Colintraive the Isle of Bute look’s just a stone’s throw away and to cross over to it takes five minutes. To land on Bute is to enter a magical island lying sheltered in the Clyde estuary. Another ferry at Wemyss Bay between Gourock and Largs takes about 30 minutes to arrive at Bute’s main community of Rothesay.

The town, a royal burgh, is a firm favourite with holidaymakers with its castle, shops and its very fine, ornate Victorian architecture. Its classic Victorian seafront façade, pier and promenade are especially fine. Rothesay also has a castle and plenty of accommodation together with restaurants and cafes. The Gulf Stream ensures Bute has a mild climate and you can see tropical plants and palm trees in many places.

Bute, like the rest of the West Highlands, was invaded by the Vikings and during the early Christian period. In more recent times it has been a favoured holiday destination for Glaswegians who would come ‘doon the watter’ each year to holiday here during Glasgow Fair. Dunoon was another popular destination. Bute has been occupied by man for more than 5,500 years and if you explore the island you’’ll find standing stones and cists and even a vitrified fort at Dunagoil Bay.

Bute Museum in Stuart Street, Rothesay displays many of the island’s ancient artefacts.

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