Bute Museum - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute was situated at a friction point between the westward expansion of the Kingdom of Scotland and territory owned by the King of Norway. The castle comprises a huge curtain wall, strengthened by four round towers, together with a 16th-century forework, the whole surrounded by a broad moat. Built by the Stewart family to defend against invading Norwegian fleets, Rothesay’s immense circular curtain wall makes it unique in Scotland.

A majestic country house which was located on the Isle of Bute, the most accessible island on the west coast of Scotland. This spectacular Gothic house was the ancestral home of the Marquess of Bute. This award-winning attraction featuring magnificent Victorian Gothic architecture and design together with contemporary craftsmanship, surrounded by 300 acres of gloriously maintained grounds and gardens.

St Blane’s Chapel is a church in Argyll and Bute. St Blane’s Chapel is situated south of Kilchattan, close to Hogback Stone. This was the home of St Blane – ‘fair Blaan of Ceen Garad’ – who may have been buried here on his death. The churchyards contain a number of fascintaing weathered grave slabs. Look out for the enclosure wall.

Millport Golf Club is a delightful, unique golf course situated on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde. This 5,828 yard 18 hole par 68 course offers a challenge for golfers of all abilities. The course opened in 1888 and was redesigned following recommendations by legendary golf architect James Braid in 1913.

Great Cumbrae is a tiny island which is enormously memorable! Merely four miles in length and two miles wide, the island is reached by ferry crossing from Largs, with Great Cumbrae as a whole often conflated with Millport, its only town. Cumbrae is famously popular for cyclists of all ages thanks to a safe 10 mile, mostly flat, circular loop around the island.

Wemyss Bay is a rock and shingle beach, looking south over the bay of the same name and across the upper Firth of Clyde to the wild countryside of the surrounding area. It is the port for ferries on the Sea Road to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Passengers from the island can connect to Glasgow by trains, which terminate in the village at the remarkable Wemyss Bay railway station, noted for its architectural qualities and regarded as one of Scotland's finest railway buildings.