07/07/2024
Things to do on Bute.
Visit the Discovery Centre in the Winter Garden. Download the Discover Rothesay App for routes, trails and more. Bute Museum, behind the castle, has fun hands on exhibits for kids and a treasure hunt for pirate coins. Check The Bank of Ideas for arts, exhibitions and events. Mount Stuart House and Gardens (Incredible architecture and history), The Victorian Toilets on the pier, Ardencraig Gardens (Beautiful and an aviary). St Blanes Chapel and the Viking graves, Dunagoil beach and caves. Beaches - Ettrick Bay with Cafe, playpark and beach wheelchairs. Kerrycroy beach with picturesque mock Tudor houses, The Straad, looking out toward Inchmarnock island. Scalpsie for seals, Kilchattan Bay for a great beach, take in the views from the Community Orchard, walk to Glen Callum Bay and lighthouse, climb Suidhe Hill, visit The Standing Stones at Black Park, Kilchattan Bay post office and tearoom , Kingarth Hotel for great food and beer, Langalbunioch for a beautiful wild beach with views of Arran or watch a plane land at the island’s airport. The Coffee Stop and Musicker Cafe beside the castle. Wee Zoe’s Cafe for Ice Cream and snacks. Aldo’s or The West End for a fish supper and a walk along the prom or a seat by the fountain. Zavaronis Ice Cream for a 99, Double Nougat, Oyster or Top Hat. Get a snack at The Kiosk on the prom or a Specialty Hot Dog or Burger from Simply Delicious at the pier. Shoot zombies or play Operation at the amusements on High Street. Walk up the Serpentine to Canada Hill or the viewpoint at Chapelhill Rockery for great views. Eat at The Diner on Guildford Square, The Esplanade, Ghillies at the Victoria Hotel, The Kettle Drum, The Waterfront, Ambience and The Bonny Clyde for good food and a view across the prom and gardens. Take in the views over lunch or dinner at the historic Glenburn Hotel. Drop in to Bute Coffee Co for delicious coffee and cake and buy some Bonnie Bling. Try a locally brewed beer or distilled gin at the new Bute Yard on high street. Watch a movie at the Discovery Centre Cinema.
Hop on/Hop off at Bute’s historic locations on the open top round island bus tour with commentary from Guildford Square. Ride a horse at Ardbrannan Riding Centre. Go for a swim at the leisure centre and play park at the top of the High Street. Bake bread at Bute Bread School. Go putting on the putting green. Eat at the Rockabilly Diner at Ardbeg and have a beer at The Scottish H***y Tonk Hotel. Go for a pint in the community pub at Port Bannatyne, play Pétanque at the park and playpark, pop into Caledonia Bistro and Deli for delicious meals and more. Port Bannatyne Post Office Cafe and Store. Walk the old tramline to Ettrick bay and see St. Colmac’s standing stones along the way. Cross the bridge to Cairnbann Neolithic chambered cairn on the road to Kilmichael Farm. Visit the ruins of Kilmichael Chapel an early Celtic Christian Chapel and burial site north of Glecknabae, there are stunning views across the Kyles of Bute to Kames and Tighnabruaich. Take a picnic to the Jubilee park at the south end of Ettrick Bay. Go trekking with Alpacas at South Ettrick bay.
Rothesay golf course, Port Bannatyne golf course and Bute golf course at Kilchattan bay all with fantastic views. Beer garden at The Galatea Bar. Live music in the Taverna and Golfers bars. Karaoke at The Palace Bar. Fabulous cakes and baking at The Electric Bakery and Helmis. Hire a paddle board or kayak. Hire an E bike, dog trailer and equipment from Bike Bute. Hire a bicycle from Out and About on Bute. Take a Bute Boat Tours rib ride. Book a guided tour with Wild Bute Tours. Visit Bute community forest and The Charcoal Huts at Moss Wood and Rhubodach for great walks a WW2 bunker and a swing with a view. Keep your eyes peeled for Red Squirrels, new to the island. Take the ferry to The Colintraive Hotel for lunch. Stroll along Lovers Walk, hire a boat and go fishing on Loch Fad. Bird watch at The Kirk Dam, Ettrick Bay, Loch Ascog and Loch Quien bird hides, there are more than 50 species on Bute. Walk a part or whole of the West Island Way around the islands coast, moors, hills and beaches, guides and coffee at Print Point book shop. Enjoy the paths through Skippers Woods or Skeoch Woods. Book a trip on the Waverley, make sure it’s a return. Visit Bute Fabrics Mill shop and the many independent and individual shops in town.
