Essential Bute
Bute Tourism Tips & Accommodation Guide
Getting Around Isle of Bute | Rothesay | Things To Do In Bute | Tips And Accommodation Guide | Festivals and Sport
Accommodation on THE ISLE BUTE
The island has many types of accommodation, from historic houses to hire by the week, holiday cottages, bed and breakfasts, hotels of all sizes and hoiday flats.
There is one hostel on the island, on the seafront 50 metres north of the ferry terminal, http://www.butebackpackers.co.uk It is newly refurbished and provides economical accommodation with good seaviews. Phone 01700 501876 There is a caravan park on a hillside outside Rothesay where a chalet or caravan can be booked for the week.Phone 01700 502048. Camping is generally discouraged accept during the motorcycle rally at the end of August, when the recreational ground at Port Bannatyne in North Bute, close to the Marina, becomes home to a thousand tents. These past couple of years the rally has been cancelled after an unfortunate accident with the loss of a life.
High quality Bed and Breafasts abound: in Rothesay itself The Cannon House Hotel and The Commodore share the waterfront at Battery Place close to the ferry, phone 01700 502819 and 01700 502178 respectively. A litle further along the road is The Glendale Guesthouse in an outstanding Victorian "pepperpot" building.Prices are very reasonable and they have family rooms too, phone 1700 502329 http://www.glendale-guest-house.com
At the southern end of the island, St Blanes Hotel and The Kingarth offer good bases to explore Kilchattan Bay, the ruins around St Blanes chapel, and Mount Stewart House (the island stately home.) St. Blanes: 01700 831224 and Kingarth 01700 831662
Overlooking Ascog Bay is a beautifully refurbished guest house with a fine dining room: CHANDLERS on 01700 505577 www.visitchandlers.com
BALMORY HALL is a grand Georgian building sympathetically restored and offering sumptuous accommodation for the discerning visitor. Phone 01700 500669. http://www.balmoryhall.com
AT THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND at PORT BANNATYNE, and serving the many visiting sailors and wildlife enthusiasts, is THE PORT ROYAL HOTEL. 5 unpretentious guest rooms at economic prices. Phone: 01700 505073 visit http://www.butehotel.com Chosen by those keen on Real Ales and the four star Russian cuisine. Fifty yards to the marina. Own fisherman supplying fresh fish daily.
At the northern end of Port Bannatyne, beyond the yacht marina, lies Kames Castle, a magnificent ancient fortified tower with extensive gardens and estate. Within the grounds are tasteful period cottages which are rented by the week to holiday makers, and for a family provide a good alternative to a hotel. Visit: http://www.kamescastlecottages.co.uk With many benefits of using the grounds and garden, they are also very strict at preventing visitors...so no parties!
MORE REMOTE IN THE NORTH WESTERN CORNER OF BUTE is GLECHNABAE, a former farmhouse offering very comfortable rooms. Stunning views across to the Isle of Arran. Call 01700 505655
Jacquelines Property Services manage thirty properties with their own individual ambience and all carefully chosen for you.more details about Jacquelines Property Services
EATING OUT
Tastes vary widely of course, and one man's favourite haunt is castigated by his neighbour. The West End Fish and Chip shop in central Rothesay serves Haddock and Chips in adequate style if that's your delight. There's Indian and Chinese takeaways too, cheap and cheerful. Plenty of caffs and coffee bars with decent coffee.
In Rothesay itself head for: BRECHINS BRASSERIE at 2 Bridgend Street near the Fish and Chip shop. The food is imaginative and freshly cooked, and very well priced.Licenced.
CHANDLERS claims to be the only fine dining on Bute, and their dining room is very fine indeed.The cooking belongs to the cuisine expected by the Scottish in a good hotel and is finding its traditional market.Chandlers 01700 505577. Before you get to Chandlers, on the coast road south from Rothesay, is The Pierhouse, on the old boating pier at Craigmore. Fine views and straight-forward good meals at a fair price. 01700 502867.
THE RUSSIAN TAVERN at THE PORT ROYAL HOTEL in PORT BANNATYNE towards the north of the island is invariably occupied by French and Italian tourists, day-tripping gourmets and urbane professional types. All the food is fresh and local, they have their own fisherman, and the Russian Chef is totally uncompromising. Both CAMRA and Les Routiers independently have awarded them Scottish Pub of the Year. There are Russian wines, beers and vodkas, and local Real Ales served direct from the cask. Booking vital: 01700 505073 MENUS on http://www.butehotel.com Five guest rooms. 50 yards to the marina. Review: "Great Pub Chefs - Russian Revolution" http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=11043