//
Island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland
Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Isle of Bute (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Bhòid or An t-Eilean Bhòdach) is an island in the Firth of Clyde, off the west coast of Scotland. Rothesay is the main town. It is part of the "Costa Clyde" or "Glasgow Riviera", the string of little resorts stretching down the Clyde coast from Gourock through Ayr to Girvan. With only a short ferry crossing from Wemyss Bay on the mainland, it's popular with day trippers from Glasgow and never feels "away from it all".
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A "compound" castle, unusual fog the Monmouth Rebellion. From the 19th century the Marquesses of Bute made cor Scotland, first built in Norman times. It has a circular curtain wall: four towers were later added, of which only the "Pigeon Tower" survives. In 1660 it was partially demolished by Cromwell’s forces after they had been temporarily garrisoned there, and then again 15 years later durinnsiderable efforts to restore it, or at least to their view of how it ought to have appeared if the Middle Ages had done things properly.
Just two rooms, but packed with exhibits of local history.
Opens May - July under the Scotland's Gardens scheme. A garden with a Victorian glazed fernery. The 1000 year old king fern is Britain’s oldest.
A flamboyant Victorian Gothic House set in parkland planted with species from all over the world. The Crichton-Stuarts held extensive lands in Wales and elsewhere, and became even richer from developing industry around Cardiff. The 19th-century 3rd Marquess was a proto-Walt Disney who sought to recreate the Middle Ages to his own fun specifications, and restored Cardiff Castle and nearby Castle Coch. Mount Stuart was his next project. It's built in warm red sandstone, with a notable marble hall and chapel, and richly decorated. In 2016 a Shakespeare First folio, worth several million pounds, was discovered in the library - this can only be viewed by special appointment. The house is sometimes booked for private events so check ahead.
Magnificent shrine to Victorian ablutions, but only the gents, and for some reason there isn't a viewing gallery so you come here to "do" not "see". (Some tourists pop in for photos regardless, resist the urge to wave your selfie-stick at them.) The ladies' is modern and functional, "separate spheres" and all that.
Films most weekends and some weekdays in the historic Winter Gardens.
Their 25-m pool, gym and sauna are open daily. Fitness classes rotate between here, the college campus and Moat community centre.
The deep loch is stocked with trout, and pike, perch and roach may also be fished. Rowing boats and rods for hire. In summer 2018 Bluebird K7, the restored record-breaking jet-powered hydroplane of Donald Campbell (1921-1967), undertook trials here.
"We don't serve fish & chips!" is the warning barked at customers. What they do serve is good Polish food; limited seating and hours so they're often booked out.
Primarily for static units, but with decent facilities for tourers (Apr-Oct) and campers (April-Dec).
Trad hotel, clean and friendly, but lots of steps to upper floors.
Peaceful small hotel in a Georgian townhouse with six double rooms and one twin. Residents' restaurant, lounge and small bar.
Quirky hotel in a former Victorian hydro. Dogs welcome.
Offbeat themed hotel, a shrine to the Cadillac automobile and associated Americana. They also get the basics right for comfort and service.
This is not on Bute, but on the Cowal mainland above the pier for ferries to Rhubodach (see "Get in") so it could be a life-saver if you missed the last ferry. (There's nothing at Rhubodach pier on Bute, but from there you could backtrack to Rothesay if need be.) It's an excellent small hotel, scoring highly for comfort, service and food, and not just by stranded travellers.
Rothesay is the usual arrival point on Bute, via the Calmac ferry from Wemyss Bay 30 miles west of Glasgow. It takes 35 min, and sails at least hourly every day year-round 7AM-8PM.40 per child.
Read in the guideWest Coast Motors run bus services on the island (+44 1586 552319). All bus routes pass along Rothesay Victoria Street near the ferry pier. Those most relevant to visitors are 90 and 490.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Glasgow · International · GLA
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Isle of Bute and United Kingdom.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsA complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.