Scotland

Isle of Bute

A gentle, accessible Clyde island with the Victorian resort town of Rothesay and the Gothic-revival Mount Stuart House.

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Isle of Bute

Part of the Scotland islands map.

Names

Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Bhòid; Irish: Eilean Bhóid; Welsh: Ynys Bute; French: île de Bute

Geography

Crossed by the Highland Boundary Fault, giving it both Highland and Lowland character within a small area.

Geology

Bedrock: Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Carboniferous To Permian (Dolerite And Tholeiitic Basalt), Carboniferous–Permian. Superficial deposits: Till (Diamicton). Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026, licensed under the BGS Open Data Licence (OGL v3.0). Source: BGS DigMapGB-625 Bedrock & Superficial WMS.

History

Long associated with the Stuart royal family. Rothesay grew as a steamer-era resort for Glaswegians 'doon the watter'.

How to reach it

CalMac ferries from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and from Colintraive to Rhubodach.

Accommodation

Hotels and guest houses in Rothesay, plus self-catering across the island.

Nearby and related islands

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-08-13.