Bute

Bute, officially the Isle of Bute, is an island in the Firth of Clyde off the west coast of Scotland. It is part of the Argyll and Bute council area and lies within the historic county of Ayrshire. The island is separated from the Cowal peninsula by the Kyles of Bute and is connected to the mainland by regular ferries from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and by a car ferry from Colintraive to Rhubodach on the island.

Rothesay is the largest town and serves as the main settlement and port. The island includes several villages such as Ascog, Port Bannatyne, and Kilchattan Bay. The landscape features low hills, wooded glens, and a rugged coastline with beaches. The climate is temperate maritime, influenced by its coastal position in the Clyde.

The Isle of Bute has a long history of human activity, with evidence from the Neolithic period and later periods. It was part of Dal Riata in early medieval times and saw Norse influence before coming under the Crown of Scotland. In the 19th century, the 3rd Marquess of Bute developed Mount Stuart House, a large Gothic Revival mansion that remains a notable cultural site on the island.

Economy on Bute is driven largely by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale local industries. Visitors are drawn to coastal scenery, historical sites, and Mount Stuart, along with outdoor activities in the island’s glens and woodlands. The island remains a destination for day-trippers and longer stays, connected to the mainland by ferry services.