Isle of Bute

Advantages: Scenery,Querky,Golf,Fishing
Disadvantages: Not too good for children

...resist the pun. The Isle of Bute is one of many Scottish Islands that we have visited and whilst it is not the most wild and remote of islands for the rugged outdoor type it has enough of interest for a day visit or short break. Easy access by ferry from Colintraive only takes five minutes and whilst we were waiting there were plenty of seals bobbing up and down being as nosey about us as we were them. We meandered into Rothesay the main town. ...
...you are probablty thinking. The toilets date back from the Victorian era and are really quite stunning.Beautifully kept,well worth the few pence it cost to get in,marble everywhere and no graffiti.Oh and still useable if you are in need! Rothesay has an excellent visitor centre and is close to the Winter Gardens. Its quite amazing to see Palm Tees but yes they are here. As you are by the sea ,fresh fish is in plentiful supply and watching the boats ... Read review

Advantages: Peace, little traffic, undeveloped, diversity of terrain, empty beaches,wildlife, hiking, fishing, golf too.
Disadvantages: Rather dependent on the weather so enjoy the great outdoors.

...spent four days on The Isle of Bute. We flew very cheaply by RyanAir from London Stanstead to Glasgow Prestwick Airport, closer to Ayr than to Glasgow.With RyanAir tickets the train is half price so it wasn't that expensive to get to Wemyss Bay where the ferry goes over to Bute.Joy oh joy! Instead of the old rattling cattle ferries there are two new luxury ships on this route, all timber and panoramic views. Such a change from my last visit! Rothesay ...
...in the south of the Isle back to Rothesay. The views are exceptional and the wildlife is everywhere, deer, hares, seals and numerous birds. In Rothesay the town is dominated by a very old castle which has a fine hall intact to visit where they show a video of the town's history, or to be more precise one man's idea of the town's history. Rothesay has a wonderful Victorian Public Lavatory too, all marble and porcelain and flushing water. The next ... Read review

Advantages: a wonderful journey into the past, brilliant scenery
Disadvantages: sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate!

...and Rothesay, and the Isles of Bute and Arran. Most trips can be done in a single day, though during one week in May when she sails to the Western Isles (Mull and Skye), the Glasgow to Oban section may have to be undertaken by bus in one or more direction(s). This is included in the price and is organised by Waverley Excursions to meet the ship. (Be warned: the bus company once let them down and myself and a friend ended up in a hotel in Oban overnight at our own expense. Waverley Excursions only paid for our train fare back to Glasgow on the following day!). There are a number of shorter trips specially for children every year, and of course you always have the option to do part of the trip, stopping off at one of the ports of call on the way and picking her up on her return journey. There are also occasional short evening cruises, normally... Read review

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Advantages: A great getaway place for relaxation
Disadvantages: Is a small island so is limiting

...folk. **Where Is It?** Islay is in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland. So basically it is on the west coast of Scotland. It is close to the Isle of Bute, Rothesay and Jura. If your still a wee bit stuck, its West of Glasgow! **Islays History** It is believed that the first inhabitants of Islay was an amazing 7000 years ago and where drawn to the fishing and land. So settling along the coasts. So as thousand of years went past and the bronze age and iron age had past, Came the Vikings. This played a huge part in Islays history and changed it forever. Converting all the islanders to Christian and the church. A total of 7 viking burial grounds have been found. Then later on as the Clan wars started and Islay was claimed by the Campbells. That of course has all changed now and is looked after by the Duke of Argyll. Islay also... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Comfortable, clean easy to use friendly service
Disadvantages: Quite expensive, older ships can have less facilities

...better than the BA flight serving the Island. The return journy was made on the MV Hebridean Isles, which was a lighter more modern ship, which was airy and very comfortable, deperting on the morning route from Port Ellen. Again the service was fantastic and the facilites on the ship were better than some channel crossings ve been on. There was a TV for kids, a bar, a shop a large cafe and several lounges. The ony drawbck is if there are large numbers of people on the crossing, and you don't plan on buying food, then it can be a bit tricky trying to find a seat. Boarding and unboarding the ferry was the quickest ive ever been on, but it is a small(ish) ferry. CalMac are the main ferry operating group in the Scottish Isles serving; Arran, Bute, Cowal, Cumbrae and Kintyre oin the Firth of Clyde and Kintyre area; Islay Colonsay and Gigha... Read review

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