Things to do on the Isle of Bute
Kames Castle Cottages is a great base from which to explore the Isle of Bute. Here are a number of suggestions for things to do.
Guests of Kames Castle Cottages can enjoy a number of activities and amenities within the grounds. Step beyond the gates of the and the Isle of Bute also offers a range of variety of activities for visitors...walking, riding, fishing, golf, historical tours …to name but a few. There are also many interesting and family oriented seasonal events on Bute. Please take a look at the Visit Bute website for regular posts on upcoming events Visit Bute We would also recommend a visit to the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre located just next to the ferry terminal for more local information as well as a multi-media exhibition introducing visitors to the island Isle of Bute Discovery Centre
The following information is provided for guests of Kames Castle Cottages. Every effort has been made to ensure that the details are accurate. However, we kindly advise that guests to check availability, prices and times with the respective companies and organisations.
Bute Arts Society
Pocket Opera CarmenCo, Vocal Duo with Piano, Wind Quintet...these are just some of the performances in the 2024 / 2025 season of the Bute Arts Society. Firm believers in enabling access to the arts for all, the society fixes prices at only £12.50 (with some concessions available and free tickets for school pupils). For more information about upcoming events please have a look at the current programme : Bute Arts Society
WildBute.com Fáilte gu An t-Eilean Bhòid
Discover the Culture, History, Heritage & Wildlife of Scotland's 'Royal' Island with WildBute.com. Home of the Stuart Kings of Scotland with castles, early Christian sites, iron age forts, standing stones & circles and wonderful wildlife. WildBute offers a range of interesting walks, talks and tours on Bute to explore all these places of interest. WildBute are also happy to provide custom made tours. https://www.facebook.com/WildBute
Meeting location : 'WildBute Corner', Guilford Square, Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Click here for map location WildBute
Rothesay Leisure Centre
The Rothesay Leisure Centre has a 4 lane 25 metre swimming pool. Lane swimming, public swimming and aqua fit classes are offered at various times throughout the week. There is also a recently renovated gym with cardiovascular and weight equipment. The centre also has a small health suite for a relaxing moment after a busy day. complete with sauna and steam room. To find out more, please contact : Rothesay Leisure Centre
Location : 96 High St, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 9BN
Click here for map location of Rothesay Leisure Centre
Tranquility Rose Holistic Therapies
Relax, unwind and restore with Tranquility Rose holistic therapies. A range of therapies are offered. Long weekends combining individual treatments and group sessions of yoga, reiki and meditation can also be arranged.
Location : Tamara, Ballochgoy Rd, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 0JE, United Kingdom
Click here for map location of Tranquility Rose
Walking
There are a number of beaches on the Isle of Bute offering beautiful seaside walks. Ettrick Bay, Scalpsie Bay and Kilcattan Bay are three suggestions. We can also recommend the West Island Way. Opened in September 2000, this long-distance waymarked path – the first on a Scottish island – encompasses some of the finest walking on the Isle of Bute. The West Island Way crosses a variety of landscapes; seashore, moorland, farmland and forest, all providing a continually changing picture of Bute.
The route offers great opportunities to glimpse wildlife – you may be lucky enough to see a Basking Shark offshore at the south end, an Osprey over Loch Fad near Rothesay town, or a Red Deer in the north end of Bute. The Way also passes many highlights of Bute history – from the medieval St Blane’s Chapel at the south of the island to the abandoned townships in Glen More at the north end. www.westislandway.co.uk
Scenic Driving Routes
There are a number of scenic drives around the island. A round island tour, for example, will take in some of the islands more famous buildings and architecture, beaches and bays, and historical sites such as the standing stones and historic churches. When you arrive at your cottage at Kames Castle Cottages you will find a booklet, Motorists Trail, that provides more detailed route information.
Bute Cycling
Bute is a fantastic destination and very accessible for cyclists. Bikes even travel free on Calmac ferries. The island is big enough to offer a wide range of cycling options, but not too big that the main town of Rothesay is ever too far away. The island has some truly splendid views and scenery with stunning coastal views, off road mountain bike trails through forests and plenty of family-friendly routes.
There are options for both standard bike hire and e-bike hire on the island. Those looking to explore the island by pedal power can hire a range of standard bikes from Out and About Bicycle Hire (either free lock and helmet provided). Free tips for cycling on the island are provided by Luc, an experienced cyclist and Cycling Scotland trainer. He is also able to provide flexible delivery and collection of bikes for guests staying at Kames. For more information, please contact him on 07748 405483.
if you prefer a little power-asssiatnce while two wheels, why not hire an e-bike from Bike Bute? Bike Bute is Scotland’s first island-based community e-bike scheme and has a range of e-bikes to suit anyone over the age of 14. With power-assisted pedals, their e-bikes make light work of the miles – and the hills – regardless of your level of fitness – which means everyone can keep up with the fittest family member! They also offer a companion bike for wheelchair users, child trailers and strollers for little ones, as well as dog trolleys – so pups can go too! Check out their website for more information. Bike Bute (e-bike hire)
Explore beautiful Bute - Bus tour
This open-top bus tour on the Isle of Bute offers visitors a great way to discover all that Bute has to offer including its stunning gardens and wonderful beaches. This great, round-island tour offers visitors to beautiful Bute the chance to see the whole island while enjoying interesting and informative commentary courtesy of the friendly drivers. Check out their website for more information. Sightseeing bus tour
Loch Fad Fishery (Rainbow and Brown Trout)
The ‘Long Loch’ is situated on the Isle of Bute, directly along the Highland fault line. It is classified by Scottish Natural Heritage as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) for it's scenic beauty and its huge diversity of bird life and vegetation. The fishery is suitable for beginners through to experienced anglers. There are a number of small boats for hire. Rods can also be hired with the friendly staff able to offer advice as necessary. www.lochfad.co.uk
Bute Museum
The Bute Museum is an independently run museum where visitors can explore the Natural and Historical Heritage of the Isle of Bute. The History & Archaeology Gallery has displays covering aspects of Bute’s History from Mesolithic and Neolithic times through to the closing years of the 20th century. The Natural History Gallery allows visitors to explore the geology, plants, animals and birds of the island. Bute Museum
Golf
Golfers will be interested to hear that there are three golf-courses on the island. Bute Golf Club, Port Bannatyne Golf Club and Rothesay Golf Club.
Bute Golf Club is situated closed to the sands of Stravannan Bay on the west side of the island, here you will find a hidden gem. Players can enjoy the splendour of seaside golf in a spectacular setting with the dramatic backdrop of The Sleeping Warrior on Arran. Bute Golf Club’s nine-hole Kingarth course provides an opportunity to sample the very origins of the game. The course opened in 1888, making it the oldest on the island and was laid out by David Cuthbert of St Andrews but at the time, the professional at Millport. Bute Golf Club
Unique in Scotland Port Bannatyne Golf Club has a 13 hole golf course, golfers play the first 12 holes and then repeat the first 5 holes with a separate 18th hole to finish with. The course is set in the pretty seaside village of Port Bannatyne by the Kyles of Bute. Famed for being the home of the World war II midget submarine fleet the X Craft and overlooking Loch Striven where the famous bouncing bomb was tested. Port Bannatyne Golf Club
Rothesay Golf club is located in a picturesque setting with panoramic views covering the seven Counties surrounding the Firth of Clyde. Founded in 1892, Rothesay Golf Club was moved, extended and relaid out by James Braid in 1908, with a first tee only ¾ of a mile from Rothesay pier. The course circles around Canada Hill which at about 400ft gives spectacular views. The great Walter Hagen played the course and said that the views could not be beaten anywhere in the world. Only 5419 yards in length, the 18 holes present a very tough challenge to scratch golfers and beginner alike. Ryder Cup stalwart Eric Brown thought the 4th hole one of the most difficult Par 3's in Europe. Rothesay Golf Club
Art at Kames Castle Estate with Scottish Artist Ruth Slater
Ruth Slater is a contemporary artist creating truly unique art in various media from her purpose-built studio on Bute's west coast. Throughout the year Ruth offers art classes at her studio. Private courses at Kames can also be arranged. Guests can enjoy expert art tuition in the peace and tranquillity of this small, private estate. Contact Ruth at Ruth Slater
Mount Stuart
Mount Stuart is a 19th century country manor house with extensive gardens on the Isle of Bute. The spectacular Gothic house was the ancestral home of the Marquess of Bute. Mount Stuart is an award-winning attraction featuring magnificent Victorian Gothic architecture and design together with contemporary craftsmanship, surrounded by 300 acres of gloriously maintained grounds and gardens. The visitor centre houses a gallery, audio-visual presentation shop and restaurant. Guided tours are also available upon request. In addition to marvellous interiors and architecture, there are beautiful gardens and woodlands with an adventure play area and scenic picnic area within in the grounds. www.mountstuart.com
Bute Highland Games
What better way to indulge yourself in the pure flavour of Scotland than to experience at first hand the magic of a Highland Games set on a beautiful Scottish island? The wonderful and haunting music of pipe bands; the supreme expertise and skill of highland dancers; the prowess and strength of heavy event athletes and wrestlers; the enthusiasm and energy of track runners; the sheer endurance of road race competitors and an opportunity to see just what shinty is all about! The games usually take place in August each year. Please consult the website for further information. www.butehighlandgames.org/welcome/
ButeFest
ButeFest is one if the highlights in the Bute summer calendar. A non-stop weekend of fun, family and music that takes place the last weekend in July. 2019 was the 5th year of the festival and provided a mythical carnival of Scottish spirit with bands, food and some wonderful shows to entertain and delight every age group. Please consult the website for further information. ButeFest
Leafield Alpaca Trekking and Meet & Greet
Meet Handsome Rueben and his friends Chester, Louie, Freddie,Oberon and Takoda. These popular meet and greet sessions are perfect for all ages especially younger children or anyone with mobility issues. Lasts around 30-minutes.
£9 per person or £15.00 for an adult and child. Longer treks up to 1hr 40 minutes are also available. The experience starts with meeting the Alpacas and includes a 15 minute H&S briefing. You will be shown how to lead your Alpaca and given a bag of feed to give them on the walk. Then off for a walk done at the Alpaca pace and they are in no rush!!
Bute boat tours
Bute Boat Tours is based on the stunning Isle of Bute, running beautiful, scenic trips from Rothesay harbour to destination around Bute, Argyll & the Clyde Coast. Join them on their high speed rib, Commando One, a Tornado 9.5 High Performance Edition, one of a kind, rib that was specially built for the Swedish Navy Special Forces as an assault craft. At 9.5 meters and with a carbon fibre hull, riders are sat on jockey seats literally inches from the water for a smooth yet exhilarating ride. Your guide on your trip is skipper Al. Alistair is fully qualified for the category waters around Bute and in the Firth of Clyde, and he is also commercially endorsed by the MCA. Contact him at Bute Boat Tours
