Isle of Bute, Scotland



(Above image is a capture of the Firth of Clyde.)


The Isle of  Bute (pop 7200) is an elongated island located in the Firth of Clyde (bay or estuary) off the west coast of Scotland. Access is by regular ferry from Wemyss Bay (about 1 hour west of Glasgow) with journey time of 35 minutes. There is a rail link between Glasgow Central and Wemyss Bay.

The principal town on Bute is Rothesay on the island’s east coast which is also the port for ferry crossings.

Rothesay
 
Using Rothesay as a start point and travelling in a clockwise direction the principal places of interest on Bute are:
Rothesay Castle: This unique circular, moated structure has origins dating back to the Viking era in the 13th century and subsequently became the summer resort for Scotland’s royal Stuart dynasty. This castle is a visitor attraction operated by Historic Environment Scotland. The castle is within walking distance of the town centre.

 
Bute Museum: Emphasis on island life supplemented with displays covering bird life, archaeology and geology. The museum overlooks Rothesay Castle.

Art Deco Architecture: High Street, Rothesay.

 
Ascog Hall Fernery & Garden: The sunken fern house  was built during latter part of the 19th century and contains eight sub-tropical fern species from around the globe.The separate garden is known for its rich stock of exotic plants and shrubs.

Fernery

Garden

Garden

Mount Stuart: A grand house featuring Victorian, Gothic architecture and set in 300 acres of grounds and gardens. The interior benefits from extremely high quality fittings and decor on which no expense was spared.

Front elevation of Mount Stuart
 

Gardens at Mount Stuart

Prehistoric Stone Circle: Remains of approx. 5000 year old structure at Kingarth located in S.W. of Bute near the junction of A844 and B881 and close to roadside..


Ruins of St Blane’s Chapel: South of Kilchattan.

Loch Fad: East of Meikle Grenach on the B881. A trout fishery.


Golf: 13 hole course at Port Bannatyne.

Ettrick Bay: On west coast. Accessed via the B875. Tea room, beach and parking off B875 at north end of the bay.





Port Bannatyne





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap...
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Pri...
Read more