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There are plenty of beautiful Scottish islands, but for me, the Isle of Bute has always had something rather special about it.
I have lived here for over 20 years, and although I originally arrived almost by accident, I soon realised that Bute offered something that was becoming increasingly difficult to find: a genuinely enjoyable island lifestyle without being completely cut off from the rest of the world.
So, rather than writing another conventional tourist guide, here are 20 great things about the Isle of Bute – from spectacular scenery and beaches to castles, wildlife, ferries, quirky Victorian features and simply having somewhere peaceful to escape to.
1. It's a beautiful Scottish island
Let's start with the obvious one. Bute is simply a lovely place to live or visit. There are beaches, hills, farmland, woodland, bays, moorland and wonderful views across the Clyde and surrounding islands.
And because Bute isn't enormous, you can experience a surprising variety of landscapes without having to travel for hours.
2. You can enjoy island life without being completely isolated
This is probably one of Bute's biggest attractions. You get the feeling of living on a Scottish island, but you're not hundreds of miles from civilisation.
The ferry crossing from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay takes around 35 minutes, making the mainland surprisingly accessible.
3. Glasgow isn't far away
One of the things that attracted me to Bute was its accessibility. You can take the train from Glasgow to Wemyss Bay, and the railway station is right beside the ferry terminal.
That makes Bute rather unusual among Scottish islands. You can have breakfast on an island, travel to Glasgow for the day, and be back home in time to enjoy the evening.
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| The Argyle - One of two ferries operating daily between Wemyss Bay and Rothesay - Jigsaw Puzzle |
4. The ferry journey is part of the fun
For many people, a ferry is simply a means of getting somewhere. On Bute, the crossing can feel like the beginning of the holiday.
As you leave Wemyss Bay and head across the Clyde towards Rothesay, the view opens up and you really do get that feeling that you're leaving the mainland behind.
5. Rothesay has bags of character
Rothesay is Bute's main town and has a fascinating mixture of Victorian architecture, traditional shops, seafront buildings and reminders of its long history as a popular holiday destination.
Take a walk along the seafront and you can still get a sense of the days when visitors arrived in large numbers on Clyde steamers for their traditional “doon the water” holiday.
6. It's was a Royal Borough
Rothesay isn't just any Scottish town. It once had the status of a Royal Burgh, reflecting its long and rather grand history.
It's one of those little details that adds to Bute's character – and there are plenty of historical surprises like this around the island.
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| Rothesay Castle, Isle of Bute |
7. Rothesay Castle is something special
Right in the heart of Rothesay is one of Bute's most impressive landmarks: Rothesay Castle.
The castle dates back to the 13th century and its unusual circular design makes it quite unlike many of Scotland's better-known castles. It's difficult to walk through Rothesay without noticing it.
8. Mount Stuart is spectacular
If you've never visited Mount Stuart, put it on your list.
This extraordinary Gothic mansion was built for the Marquesses of Bute and is famous for its incredible architecture, elaborate interiors and extensive gardens and grounds.
Even people who aren't normally interested in stately homes can find Mount Stuart difficult to resist. There are some genuinely jaw-dropping rooms inside.
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| Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute |
9. Bute has some wonderful beaches
You don't necessarily think of Scottish islands as beach destinations, but Bute has some lovely stretches of sand.
Ettrick Bay, St Ninian's Bay and Scalpsie Bay are just three of the beaches worth discovering, while there are smaller bays and beaches around the coastline too.
They may not always be the sort of beaches where you rush into the sea wearing your swimming costume – this is Scotland, after all – but they are perfect for walking, exploring and enjoying the scenery.
10. You can see seals at Scalpsie Bay
Wildlife is one of the pleasures of living on an island, and Scalpsie Bay is particularly well known for its seal colony.
There's something rather wonderful about sitting quietly on a beach and watching seals enjoying themselves in the water.
11. The birdwatching can be fantastic
I'm particularly interested in birds, and Bute provides plenty of opportunities for watching them.
One of my favourite sights is watching gannets diving into the water. You can sometimes see them from home, which is a pretty impressive way to spend a few minutes when you should probably be working!
12. There are great walks
Bute is an excellent place for walking, whether you want a gentle stroll or somewhere to get away from everybody.
Some of my favourite places include Dunagoil, St Blanes and the Rhubodach area. There are also coastal walks, countryside paths and plenty of opportunities to discover quieter corners of the island.
And don't forget the famous West Island Way, which is a lengthy walking challenge the full length of the island from South to North.
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| Discover Bute Visitor Map (includes the West Island Way) |
13. It's surprisingly peaceful
One of the great luxuries of island life is simply being able to get away from the noise and bustle of a city.
There are busy times, particularly during the summer, but it doesn't take much effort to find somewhere quiet. Sometimes you can walk somewhere and feel as though you've got the whole island to yourself.
14. The Clyde gives Bute a spectacular setting
Bute sits in the Firth of Clyde, surrounded by water and with views towards the mainland and neighbouring islands.
The scenery changes constantly with the weather. A sunny day can make the water sparkle, while mist, clouds and dramatic skies can create an entirely different landscape.
15. There are plenty of sporting activities
Bute isn't just about walking and sightseeing. There are opportunities for golf, sailing, kayaking, horse riding, football, shinty, bowls, curling and other sports.
And for golfers, the island has three courses, all with the sort of views that can make it rather difficult to concentrate on your next shot.
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| Bute Yard has its own brewery and distillery. There's food, often live music, and a monthly craft market |
16. It has some wonderfully quirky attractions
Every good island needs a few surprises.
Bute has its grand castle and magnificent mansion, but it also has attractions that are considerably more unusual. One of my favourites has to be the Victorian public toilets at Rothesay Harbour.
How many Scottish islands can boast a Victorian toilet that visitors actually want to see?
17. The island has a fascinating history
Bute's history goes back a very long way. There are ancient sites, religious remains, castles and Victorian buildings, all telling different parts of the island's story.
St Blanes Chapel and the surrounding area are particularly atmospheric, while the Victorian heritage of Rothesay gives another fascinating glimpse into the island's past.
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| The Waverley Paddle Steam in Rothesay Bay - Jigsaw Puzzle |
18. You can still arrive on a paddle steamer
During the summer months, the famous Waverley paddle steamer visits the Clyde, providing a wonderful link with Bute's traditional holiday history.
There is something particularly appropriate about seeing a classic paddle steamer arriving in Rothesay – it feels as though a little piece of the island's Victorian holiday era has survived.
19. You can work from here
This is one of the reasons I moved to Bute in the first place.
When most of your work can be done online, you don't necessarily need to live in a city. I'm a freelance illustrator and cartoonist, so the digital revolution made it possible for me to have my studio on a Scottish island while working with customers and clients much further afield.
Today, of course, working remotely is completely normal for millions of people. But the principle remains the same: why not work somewhere you actually enjoy living?
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| Kames Bay, Isle of Bute, on a Cutting Board |
20. It really does offer the best of both worlds
And perhaps that's the biggest reason I still like Bute after all these years.
You can have beautiful beaches, wildlife, countryside, historic buildings and peaceful walks. You can sit and watch gannets diving into the Clyde. You can explore a Victorian mansion or an ancient chapel. You can enjoy the slower pace of island life.
But at the same time, Glasgow is within easy reach, the mainland is just a ferry ride away, and modern communications mean you can work with people anywhere in the world.
That's what makes the Isle of Bute special to me. It's an island, but it doesn't feel like the end of the road. In many ways, it's the best of both worlds.
And after more than 15 years, I still think I made the right choice.
If you'd like to find out more about the island, I've also put together a much more detailed guide to Bute HERE, covering places to visit, beaches, attractions, transport and more.
