There is much to see and do both on and near the Isle of Bute.
Listed below are links to some favourite things.
- Kingarth Hotel
One of the most popular pub/restaurants on Bute, Kingarth Hotel serves up good home cooked food from fresh local ingredients. There is also quite a late bar and a complimentary minibus service which will can drop you close to the Farm on its way to and from Rothesay. - Colintraive Hotel
Slightly further afield (a five minute crossing to the mainland from Rhubodach) the Colintraive Hotel offers another great bar and restaurant with fresh, local produce. The langoustines in garlic butter are phenomenal. Mains include Bute beef, seasonal meat, fish and game.
- Flickr photo archive
Flickr is a useful site and a great place to store photographs. It has numerous photographs of Bute and the surrounding areas showing some of the fantastic scenery. Follow this link for a slideshow.
- Cinema
The Isle of Bute Discovery Centre in Rothesay has a fifty seat cinema showing all the latest releases with both matinee and evening screenings. Much cheaper tickets than West End screens! - Waverley
SS Waverley, the world’s last ocean-going paddle steamer, calls regularly at Rothesay pier with trips to Tighnabruaich, Tarbert and Lochranza. Surprisingly fast and maneouverable you would think the age of steam-based sea travel had never ended.
- Isle of Bute Sailing Club
For the nautically minded the sailing club offers instruction and organised races around the Island. - Pike and Perch Fishing nearby at Loch Ascog
Some large pike have been landed in Loch Ascog. Watch your fingers when getting the hook back out! - Trout and Pike Fishing at Loch fad and Loch Quien
If you want to take your catch home this is the place to go with some good rainbow and brown trout fishing from boat or shore.
- Rothesay Golf Club
A fine and well-kept 18 hole course with some good sea views. Best clubhouse facilities on the Island. - Bute Golf Club
A characterful 9 hole course with some outstanding views over the water to the Isle of Arran. - Port Bannatyne Golf Club
Unusually, a 13 hole course, but always in good condition and with some fine views over the Port. - Scottish Golf
Scotland is the home of golf and there are no shortage of courses, several of which are championship grade not too far from the Island including Troon and Loch Lomond.
- Mount Stuart House
Mount Stuart is Britain’s most astounding Victorian gothic mansion. Home to the Stuarts of Bute, descendants of the Royal House of Stuart, this flamboyant house and its 300 acres of gardens reflect the artistic, religious and astrological interests of its creator the 3rd Marquess of Bute. - Rothesay Castle
Rothesay Castle is unique among Scottish castles, both for its early date and for its circular form. It is also famous for its long and close association with the Stewarts hereditary high stewards until 1371, and thereafter the royal dynasty. From them is descended Charles, Prince of Wales and Duke of Rothesay. - St Blane’s Chapel
The ruined medieval chapel, built in the 12th century, stands on the site of the earlier celtic monastery, founded in 575 by St Blane. The chapel may have been built by Alan The Steward. It was long believed that the Norman chapel was the original structure on the site until it was discovered that behind the Norman facing are remains of the rubble-built basilica of St Blane. - Ascog Hall Victorian Fernery and Gardens
A beautifully restored Victorian fernery rescued from ruin and restored to its former glory in 1997. Ascog Hall also has attractive 3 acre gardens evocative of an earlier age. Well worth a visit and very close to the Farm.