Bute and beyond
What is there to see...?
Before you arrive, I suggest that you invest in a super guide book for Scotland written by a very honest journalist, Peter Irvine - Scotland The Best. It is reliable and insightful.
Mount Stuart is simply unique. The architecture, the setting, the workmanship, the art, the passion, and the indulgence needed to make it real sets it apart on a global level. Go, linger, and look in detail at what was achieved 150 years ago.
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Όρος Στιούαρτ
Mount Stuart is simply unique. The architecture, the setting, the workmanship, the art, the passion, and the indulgence needed to make it real sets it apart on a global level. Go, linger, and look in detail at what was achieved 150 years ago.
There's few courses in the world that bring you so close to rugged nature. A very special experience indeed. Put your money in the honesty box, and drink in the spectacular views
Bute Golf Club
There's few courses in the world that bring you so close to rugged nature. A very special experience indeed. Put your money in the honesty box, and drink in the spectacular views
Run the kids, your dogs, your in-laws or your partner hard at this expansive beach. Go at low tide and marvel at the expanse of golden sand. Then walk north along the road to experience a series of smaller but no less appealing beaches. Then have coffee and a cake at the cafe.
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Ettrick Bay Beach
Run the kids, your dogs, your in-laws or your partner hard at this expansive beach. Go at low tide and marvel at the expanse of golden sand. Then walk north along the road to experience a series of smaller but no less appealing beaches. Then have coffee and a cake at the cafe.
There's a lookout a couple of miles short of Tighnabruich that overlooks the Kyles of Bute - see the cover picture. It is stunning. Go.
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Tighnabruaich
There's a lookout a couple of miles short of Tighnabruich that overlooks the Kyles of Bute - see the cover picture. It is stunning. Go.
A quiet spot that's worth the short walk from the road. A monastery was founded here in the AD 500s. It was subsequently abandoned during Viking raids around AD 790, and then in the 1100s was built a parish church that was in use until the Protestant Reformation of 1560.
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ST BLANE'S CHURCH
Plan RoadA quiet spot that's worth the short walk from the road. A monastery was founded here in the AD 500s. It was subsequently abandoned during Viking raids around AD 790, and then in the 1100s was built a parish church that was in use until the Protestant Reformation of 1560.
Yeah, toilets, a Bute highlight. My dear departed father was a fundraiser and champion of this architectural edifice. Go and spend a penny in his honour.
Victorian Toilets
EsplanadeYeah, toilets, a Bute highlight. My dear departed father was a fundraiser and champion of this architectural edifice. Go and spend a penny in his honour.
San Francisco, eat your heart out. Walk it, ride it, or drive it, but see it on your visit. A snaking street that overlooks the town and its curving bay.
Serpentine Road
Serpentine RoadSan Francisco, eat your heart out. Walk it, ride it, or drive it, but see it on your visit. A snaking street that overlooks the town and its curving bay.
There's a lovely story behind this little hamlet that resembles an English country village. The 2nd Marquess of Bute, created it in 1803, to help soothe his English wife Maria North feelings of homesickness.
The lovely little pier was used to bring in the stone for the building of Mount Stuart House, a temporary railway being built to connected it to the construction site.
Kerrycroy
There's a lovely story behind this little hamlet that resembles an English country village. The 2nd Marquess of Bute, created it in 1803, to help soothe his English wife Maria North feelings of homesickness.
The lovely little pier was used to bring in the stone for the building of Mount Stuart House, a temporary railway being built to connected it to the construction site.
An off island standard distraction, where you'll find delightful homewares, gifts to take home with you, and little indulgences to buy or better have bought for you.
Three In One
10 Argyle StAn off island standard distraction, where you'll find delightful homewares, gifts to take home with you, and little indulgences to buy or better have bought for you.
Where should you eat?
These are some of my edible favourites that I visit regularly when I am back on Bute. Nowhere is too expensive, and there's no pretension whatsoever. They are relaxed, genuine, and rewarding.
The influx of Italians into Scotland between the wars brought ice cream to our chilly shores. Zavaroni’s serves the classic milky vanilla that will make you dissatisfied with every Mr Whippy that’s you’ll encounter thereafter.
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Zavaroni's Cafe
20 Argyle StThe influx of Italians into Scotland between the wars brought ice cream to our chilly shores. Zavaroni’s serves the classic milky vanilla that will make you dissatisfied with every Mr Whippy that’s you’ll encounter thereafter.
Harry Haw's
25 High StGreat food, friendly service, and views over Rothesay Castle.
Aussie standard coffee and cafe fare here. Run by a lovely, hardworking, welcoming couple, this may well become a daily drop in spot. And don't overlook them for take away food in the evenings to give your chef a break. Their fish and chips are awesome
The Kettledrum
32 East Princes StreetAussie standard coffee and cafe fare here. Run by a lovely, hardworking, welcoming couple, this may well become a daily drop in spot. And don't overlook them for take away food in the evenings to give your chef a break. Their fish and chips are awesome
A delicious destination. Chef Joe was creating magic in top London kitchens before escaping to Argyll. Fresh local produce and hospitality at its best.
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The Colintraive Hotel
A delicious destination. Chef Joe was creating magic in top London kitchens before escaping to Argyll. Fresh local produce and hospitality at its best.
A popular spot, so worth booking, but this is where it all started. Great shop for those looking for treats to eat or presents to give.
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Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd
A popular spot, so worth booking, but this is where it all started. Great shop for those looking for treats to eat or presents to give.
I cannot recommend this place enough. It's a stunning journey from Bute, and the dishes you'll encounter once you get there will create great memories. Book, coz you're not the first to go. Take your time and build a day of exploring Loch Fyne around lunch or an early supper.
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Inver Restaurant & Rooms
I cannot recommend this place enough. It's a stunning journey from Bute, and the dishes you'll encounter once you get there will create great memories. Book, coz you're not the first to go. Take your time and build a day of exploring Loch Fyne around lunch or an early supper.
This is a great destination for lunch. Space for kids to run around, boats to gaze at, good food, and a wee gift shop. Plus, if you are looking for an indulgent diversion, there's a spa.
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Portavadie Marina
This is a great destination for lunch. Space for kids to run around, boats to gaze at, good food, and a wee gift shop. Plus, if you are looking for an indulgent diversion, there's a spa.
Bute is home to a wonderful, appreciative, hard working, integrated community of Syrians who arrived after fleeing the conflict in their home country. And this delicious bakery is one of the businesses that now benefits the island's inhabitants and visitors alike. Gorgeous patisserie, and great Middle Eastern dishes, especially the breakfasts, are a real treat.
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Helmi’s
26 E Princes StBute is home to a wonderful, appreciative, hard working, integrated community of Syrians who arrived after fleeing the conflict in their home country. And this delicious bakery is one of the businesses that now benefits the island's inhabitants and visitors alike. Gorgeous patisserie, and great Middle Eastern dishes, especially the breakfasts, are a real treat.
Trips off the island
Inveraray
Okay, a wee bit touristy, but a pleasant destination.
A couple of nice cafes, the shoreline, the lifeboat station, and lots of great drives lead to this quaint little toon.
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Tighnabruaich
A couple of nice cafes, the shoreline, the lifeboat station, and lots of great drives lead to this quaint little toon.
Lovely drive to a lovely spot. With the reward of a coffee or a wine at the end of it. What's not to like?
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Otter Ferry
Lovely drive to a lovely spot. With the reward of a coffee or a wine at the end of it. What's not to like?
Ever thought of a cruise? Here's your chance...
Drive to Portavadie, walk on to the wee CalMac ferry and cruise across to Tarbert Loch Fyne. Lunch, shopping, walks, a glass of rosé, fish suppers, and fresh seafood are all in store in this cute Kintyre town.
Remember to sing "Mull Of Kintyre" on the way across, and "I Am Sailing" on the way back...
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Tarbert
Ever thought of a cruise? Here's your chance...
Drive to Portavadie, walk on to the wee CalMac ferry and cruise across to Tarbert Loch Fyne. Lunch, shopping, walks, a glass of rosé, fish suppers, and fresh seafood are all in store in this cute Kintyre town.
Remember to sing "Mull Of Kintyre" on the way across, and "I Am Sailing" on the way back...