The Isle of Bute - local attractions

Gardens at The Fernery at Ascog

Ardencraig Gardens
These spectacular gardens are famous for fuchsias, pot plants and its water garden. There is also a popular tearoom. Open May to September. More...

Ascog Hall Fernery & Garden

This sunken Victorian fern house built around 1870 has now been fully restored. The fernery is a unique and beautiful feature housing 80 sub-tropical fern species. More...

Bute Museum

Special features including Clyde steamers, children and toddlers display. Wild flowers, birds, small animals, geology, archaeology and local history. The museum shop stocks an interesting range of souvenirs gifts and books.

Discovery Centre

The Isle of Bute Discovery Centre, opened in 2001, is set in the centre of the splendid Esplanade Gardens, and showcases the many and varied attractions of the island. There is a tourist information desk, and many excursions, hotels etc can be booked here. The cinema has 87 seats with wheelchair access. The shop area stocks a large range of gift items, many produced locally.

Rothesay Castle

Ettrick Bay

A beautiful sandy bay which has fine views of Arran and the Kintyre peninsula beyond. There is a popular tea-room offering refreshments to visitors all year round.

Rothesay Castle
A fine example of a 13th Century castle whose circular design is unique in Scotland. Substantial restoration work has been carried out over the last 120 years.

Scalpsie Bay
The wide expanse of Scalpsie Bay, with its beautiful backdrop of Arran, is the home of Bute's large seal colony. These creatures don't seem to mind the attention they get from passers-by.

St Blanes Chapel
St Blane's Chapel is named after St Blane, who was born on the island in the 6th century. It lies about 2 miles south of Kingarth above Dunagoil on the west coast, and near the southern tip of the island.

Victorian Toilets
The most impressive surviving Victorian public convenience in Scotland, if not the UK. Still in use, they can be found on Rothesay Harbour.