Rothesay

Rothesay is a the largest Town on the Isle of Bute, 42 miles west of Glasgow, with regular Ferries running from the Port Village of Wemyss Bay, 35 minute crossing. Regular Trains run between Glasgow Central and Wemyss Bay.

Rothesay is popular for its Castle, Marina, Discovery Centre with large Gardens with Putting, and Bute Museum, all close to the Ferry Terminal. St Mary's Chapel with a Knights Tomb is a half mile south of the centre, and Mount Stuart Mansion 4 miles south with regular Buses from Rothesay.

For Images on Mobile swipe right

Click on Map for top Attractions

Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of the Ferry Terminal and Train Station at Wemyss Bay. This scenic little Station opened in 1865, allowing passengers to get off the Train then straight onto a Ferry.

The Ferry trip takes about 35 minutes with a Cafe on board both Ferries. A Ferry departs every hour from about 07.00 - 20.00.

The Marina and Guildford Square are by the Ferry Terminal at Rothesay, with most of the Shops and Cafes around the Square, also where Buses depart. The Victorian Toilets by the Pier are a top attraction.

Open Top Buses run from mid May to September visiting the top attractions on the Island, including Mount Stuart Mansion.

Rothesay Castle is a short walk up behind the Square, with it being involved in Battles with Vikings, English, Oliver Cromwell, and once a Royal Castle of the Stewart's. The Town grew around the Castle.

You can visit the Castle and explore its Grounds, Rooms, watch a History Video, and climb to the top for great views. Castle Page

The Bute Museum is across the road from the Castle, giving information on the Island.

Just north of Guildford Square is the Discovery Centre with large Gardens, Fountain and Putting. The Discovery Centre has a Cafe, Museum, and 90 seat Cinema. This Building was completed in 1924 as part of the Winter Gardens.

The United Church of Bute with the small Saint Mary's Chapel, has a Knights Tomb from the 1300s, possibly a Stuart.

Saint Mary's is about half of a mile from Rothesay centre, up the High Street.

Rothesay was a top Hydrotherapy / Spa Town from the late 1800s, where people would indulge in Water Treatments in the top Hotels. The Treatments from that time are now often described as Torture.

This was one of the top Holiday Destination for Glaswegian's from the 1850s, with regular Steamers running from Glasgow to Rothesay in summer. Inexpensive package holidays to Spain in the 1970s, led to Rothesay becoming a much quieter Resort.

Other top attractions on the Island are St Blane's Church on the south side of the Island, and a hike to the top of 500ft St Blane's Hill by the Church for great views all around. Map

Kingarth Standing Stones are next to the narrow Plan Road leading down to St Blane's Church, across the road from the small Airfield.

Rothesay Attractions

The Postcodes have links to Maps and Reviews.

Bute Museum on Stuart Street PA20 0EP

Rothesay's Victorian Toilets at The Pier PA20 0AH

Loch Fad Trout Fishing 2 miles southwest of Rothesay centre PA20 9PA

Balnakailly Woodland Walks 8 miles north of Rothesay Map

Kames Castle 3 miles north of Rothesay by Port Bannatyne, private with accommodation can be viewed from the A844 roadside just northwest of the town PA20 0QP

Walking Routes