Bob Law's Blog and photography: The Magic of Bute and Rothesay

Home » Bob Law: photographer, walker and writer » Bob Law’s Blog and photography: The Magic of Bute and Rothesay

Bob Law’s Blog and photography: The Magic of Bute and Rothesay

Boats on Loch Fad

With the recent hot weather thoughts naturally turn to the coast, water parks, leafy shade and cooling sea breezes. The island of Bute and its main town of Rothesay have much to offer the adventurous visitor; with a varied range of walks and cycle rides to suit all tastes, from flat easy promenade strolls to eight hour wild hikes across remote upland landscapes.

Loch Na Leighe

Loch Fad and Loch Ascog (both featured in the photographs) are only 2km walk from the town centre along quiet minor roads, pavements and paths with infrequent cars passing by. Rothesay itself has many fine walks within 3km of the ferry pier arrival point. The sublime Canada Hill with its panoramic views above the town- or Port Bannatyne via the scenic rural uplands of the West Island Way… returning by the flat coastal promenade. On either side of the town Skeoch Wood and Bogany Wood offer leafy shade and elevated views as does the Lade Walk and old cemetery just above the town park.

Loch Ascog

Buses or bike hire – available on the island or you can take your own bikes and explore the quiet road system, its beautiful wild places (like St Blane’s and the Garroch Head Peninsula) or simply chill out on a secluded quiet beach somewhere like Ettrick Bay, Kames Bay, Kerrycroy Bay, Kilchattan Bay, the wonderful Dunagoil Bay or Scalpsie Bay.

Above The Kyles Of Bute

Ferry from Wemyss Bay (£6:10 return adult. £3:10 return for children 5 to 15. free under 5. Bikes free. £21:90 for a car return ticket. Motor cycle £11:00 return) Safe car parking (£3 a day) is also available inside the train station or adjacent garage car park at Wemyss Bay. This island is always a joy to explore any time of year and surprisingly empty away from the town centre but arrive early (before 9:30am) in good weekend weather to get a car park place.

Rothesay and Arran

Full details of walks and cycles on all the Firth of Clyde Islands and much more besides can be found in my photo heavy kindle guide book. Over 80 varied routes from two hour easy to full day mountain walks are described and illustrated along the length of this famous river and estuary. The largest enclosed body of water in the British Isles. 240 pages long and 146 original colour photos like these for £1:99. Good for armchair discoveries, lovers of Scottish scenery, or experienced walkers and cyclists looking for someplace new to explore.