The Undiscovered Island

Discover Bute

The Isle of Bute is the perfect place to embrace the outdoors, both on the water and on land. Walkers are well catered for and the island’s ‘West Island Way’ is one of it’s most popular waymarked footpaths. Cyclists will love the roads on Bute, where they can take in coast and country, making a full circuit of the island.

If you like to take to the course, then there are 3 golf courses on the island blessed with some of the most rewarding views you will find anywhere.

For those that love to get on and in the water, there is fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, diving and high speed rib rides or you could just go for a paddle.

If a slightly slower pace is more to your liking, there a host of fantastic sandy beaches to relax along with a wealth of historic sites, including the extrodinary Mount Stuart House, Rothesay Castle and St Blanes Chapel.

Mount Stuart should be on the must do list for anyone visiting the island. This gothic masterpiece is the seat of the Marquis of Bute and is an architectural gem. It was the first house in Scotland to be purpose-built with electric light in 1883 and one of the first to have a lift, a heated indoor swimming pool and central heating system.

Below whe have a list of places you may want to visit on the island and a list of activities you may want to try.

MOUNT STUART HOUSE & GARDENS

The awe inspiring Mount Stuart house is regarded as one of the UK’s best examples of Victorian gothic architecture. Home to the Stuarts of Bute, descendants of the Royal House of Stuart, this stunning mansion is a must see for any visitor to the island. Sitting in 300 acres of gardens inspired by the 3rd Marquess of Bute’s love of nature, the house was a trailblazer in its time as it had the world’s first domestic heated indoor swimming pool and was also the first house in Scotland to be lit by electricity.

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BUTE BOAT TOURS

Enjoy a memorable hi speed rib trip around the waters of Bute, Argyll and the Clyde coast where you will discover hidden coves, uninhabited islands and some truly stunning wildlife. Your skipper, Al, regularly spots porpoise, dolphins, seals and a multitude of sea birds and even basking sharks, minle whales, sea otters and sea eagles.

Various trips are available, with trips to the Kyles of Bute, Tighnabruaich and Arran being amoungst the most popular. Private charters are also available.

Guests staying at One Marine Place get a 10% discount on bookings.

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BUTE MUSEUM

If you are interested in the the history, geology, nature & people on Bute, then a visit to the Bute Museum is a must. The museum is home to a collection of historical artifacts that show Bute’s rich history along with displays on the wildlife & social history of the island.

See stone tools and items of pottery left by later Neolithic settlers along with artefacts, metal working implements of Iron Age date and cases of mammals and birds from a wide variety of habitats reflecting today’s wild occupants of Bute.

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BUTEFEST

ButeFest is the Isle of Bute’s very own music festival based at Ettrick bay. The festival has grown to be a highlight of the festival calendar and attracts a mix of big named acts and indie bands. On site camping is available for those wanting the full festival experience.

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ST BLANES CHAPEL

This atmospheric and important monastery sits around 2 miles from Kingarth in a beautiful hollow with stunning views out over towards the Isle of Arran. The site contains impressive remains of the monastery of St Blane, which was originally founded in the 6th century and is considered a forerunner to the better known monastery of St Columba on Iona. An enclosure wall surrounds the monastic site of St Blane’s, inside of which stands. The site is considered an extremely important part of early christianity in Scotland and beyond.

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Leafield Alpacca Trekking | Isle of Bute

LEAFIELD ALPACA TREKKING

Join Freddie, Louie, Chester, Rueben and Oberon for a trek around the Ettrick bay area of Bute.

Alpacas are originally from South America and these boys are now living here on the Bute. They are docile, social and well suited to the Scottish climate. They are highly intelligent and have inquisitive and curious natures. Huacaya Alpacas are woolly and look like huggable teddy bears and they make a humming sound! The Leafield Alpacas enjoy going for walks, meeting people and posing for the camera.

Whatever your age you will love the experience!

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KILCHATTAN BAY KAYAKING

Located at the old peir in Kilchattan Bay at the southern end of the island, you can try your hand at kayaking and paddleboarding (SUPs) in the shelterd and safe waters of the bay.

All boards and kayaks are new and life jackets and traing are provided by Mark, who has been teaching watersports and skiing for 35 years in Europe, Israel and the USA.

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DISCOVERY CENTRE CINEMA

A small but well run cinema showing the latest blockbusters. Ideal for those days when the sun is not shining.

The cinema shares the former Winter garden building with the Visit Scotland tourist information centre and is located a short stroll from the ferry terminal and is one of the most recognisable buildings in Rothesay,.

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ARDENCRAIG GARDENS

Originally formed as part of a larger area designed for the owners of the nearby Ardencraig House, Ardencraig Gardens is a walled garden that is maintained by Argyll and Bute Council. It has been developed to create a propagation, education and a show garden. Visitors can enjoy the brightly coloured fuchsia and bedding displays, as well as a large selection of more exotic plant species within the glasshouses.

A tearoom lies adjacent to the gardens and a number of aviaries with a range of foreign birds have also been introduced and are particularly popular with children.

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ROTHESAY CASTLE

Once a bulwark against invading Viking forces, the magnificent ruins of Rothesay Castle boast a long and close connection to the Stewart dynasty. The castle dates back to the early 13th century and is remarkably well preserved in spite of its age. Built by the Stewart family to defend against invading Norwegian fleets, Rothesay’s immense circular curtain wall makes it unique in Scotland. The 15th century St Michael’s Chapel in the courtyard is another of the castle’s impressive surviving features.

The castle is currently closed to visitors due to preservation work being carried out.

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BUTE OPEN TOP BUS TOUR

City Sightseeing Bute operates a fun and informative open top bus tour around the island from spring to autumn.

Discover the history and sights of this lovely island in the hands of our local and experienced drivers whose commentary is fun and informative. An ideal way to get around the island and catch all the sights.

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BUTE YARD

Bute Yard is a community hub near the castle, that is home to Bute Brew Co, Isle of Bute Distillery & Bute Kitchen, and showcases the best local, artisan and craft fare on the Island.

Bute Yard regularly holds pop up food events, live music, and the popular farmers market on the first Sunday of every month.

There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy a bite to eat and one of Bute Brew’s fantastic beers from their onsite tap room.

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ROTHESAY PAVILION

Rothesay Pavilion is a landmark building on the island, with it’s art deco lines being a welcoming sign to visitors arriving by ferry from the mainland. The pavilion has been under refurbishment for many years, having had issues with contractors going bust and funding issues, but it is now due to re-open in 2027 as a muiti-use/space community venue.

Designed by James Carrick of Ayr, and opened in July 1938, if featured a ballroom & café, and later a cinema. It attracted top talent to perform in Rothesay, including in recent years The Proclaimers, Mogwai & Hue & Cry.

Currently, still under renovation, the pavilion is being returned to its former glory, ready to welcome a whole new set of visitors and become a vital part of the island’s infrastructure.

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Located on the beautiful Isle of Bute, One Marine Place is your home from home by the sea. All our apartments have a well equipped kitchen, free wifi, central heating, access to our mature gardens and a private parking space.

Bute has a lot to offer visitors, whether it is our golden beaches, abundance of wildlife, the stunning Mount Stuart House or exploring the West Island Way.

Our Island is easily accessable with regular ferries departing from Wemyss Bay & Colintraive daily for vehicles and foot passengers.

Marine Place | Rothesay | Isle of Bute | PA20 0LF

e: info@onemarineplace.com

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