Spotlight on Bute

Take a trip to the Isle of Bute this summer - enjoy 'the Isle of Bute's Food Festival "eatBute" as well as visiting the fantastic Mount Stuart and Isle of Bute Discovery Centre.

Getting to the beautiful Isle of Bute is a breeze. Only a short 35 minute ferry crossing from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay on the regular service provided by Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean and Clyde Ferries, the journey is made even easier thanks to the west coast’s fantastic rail network.

Nestled in the Firth of Clyde, between the mainland and northern Kintyre, Bute lies in the scenic sea lochs of southern Argyll. A popular summer "seaside" resort in Victorian times, Bute has maintained its ease of access and quaint, timeless seafront façade, with the world's last sea-going paddle steamer, The Waverley, travelling down The Clyde and stopping off at Rothesay, the island's main town and hub. Rothesay is full of many such charms, like the elegantly tiled mosaic Victorian Loos - possibly Britain's oldest public convenience.

Mount Stuart is Bute's crowning jewel; a magnificent and resplendent Victorian Gothic mansion, as ornately beautiful as it is grand. Set amongst 300 acres of landscaped gardens, this stunning and unusual property is the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute and is, amazingly, only about 90 minutes from Glasgow's city centre. Much of the interior is influenced by the 3rd Marquess, reflecting his love of astrology, religion and art - all popular pursuits in Victorian times. The art theme carries on today, both in the state-of-the art visitor centre which has won a number of prestigious architectural awards, and in the annual visual arts exhibition. This year's exhibition - "The Great Bear" by German-born artist Katja Strunz - runs until 30 September. 

The "tastiest" time to visit the Isle of Bute this year is between the 11 - 13 September. eatBute, the festival to showcase and celebrate the abundance of locally produced food, is back again for 2009.   Tuck into tasty seasonal samples at the eatBute Food & Craft Market, savour the superb fresh goods available from local producers, or pick up top tips by watching one of the many guest chefs demonstrate their culinary skills. Previous chefs have included Nick Nairn. With a packed programme full of interactive foodie opportunities, finished off with the unmissable Mount Stuart Ceilidh, don't miss the chance to book your tickets for eatBute.

At only 15 miles long and around 4 miles wide, Bute manages to create a perfect "Scotland in miniture" feeling, with the dramatically moated Rothesay Castle situated right in the heart of the town and, not even fifteen minutes away, gloriously sandy beaches such as Scalpsie Bay with colonies of seals lounging on rocks and skerries.

Housed in Rothesay's Winter Garden is the interactive Isle of Bute Discovery Centre. A fascinating multi-media tour takes you through the island’s history, heritage and achievements, including the St Ninian's Standing Stones, Viking invasions, Robert the Bruce-era battles and much more.

Round off your trip to Bute with a visit to yet another local speciality; Rothesay Creamery. See for yourself how the delicious Isle of Bute cheeses are made with tour of the creamery. Be sure to try a few samples and take a taste of Bute home with you.