Geograph - photograph every grid square

The Isle of Bute (or just 'Bute') is a substantial island situated in the Firth of Clyde, it is the 13th largest of the Scottish islands but ranks 5th for population making it comparatively densely populated.
Being close to and easily accessible from the Scottish mainland it has for many years been a popular tourist destination particularly for nearby Glaswegians. Its heyday was around the turn of the C20th when Rothesay harbour was clogged by a succession of visiting paddle steamers. The isle's 'capital', Rothesay, by far the largest settlement on the island with a population of over 4000, is now looking a little tired and could do with some rejuvenation, but is still an interesting place to visit.
There are numerous other settlements around the island, notably Port Bannatyne (popn.c.1090) just to the north of the 'capital'.
The centre of the island contains most of the cultivated land and the amazing mansion of Mount Stuart whereas both the south and north of the island are more rugged and hilly.
St Blane's (ruined) monastery towards the south of the island was founded as long ago as 500AD and is an atmospheric place to visit.
There are two vehicle ferries both run by CalMac which service the island. The main crossing is between Wemyss Bay on the mainland (c.7 miles north of Largs) and Rothesay Harbour. This crossing is shared by the CalMac ferries Bute and Argyle (as of 2022) the crossing takes about 35 minutes and runs approximately every hour (not at night).
The other crossing is far shorter, taking just 5 minutes, and crosses between Rhubodach on Bute and Colintraive on the Cowal peninsula of mainland Scotland - this little ferry runs every half hour from early morning to about 9.00pm
(Note: These are for the Summer timetable, the winter will be different).

Statistics for Bute
Area: 12,217ha (47.17 miles²)
Population: 6,498 [2011 census]
Density: 53.19/km² (137.8/mile²)
Highest Point: Windy Hill, 278m (912') in the northern part of the island.
Chief Settlement: Rothesay (popn.c.4,310 [2020 est])

Created: Wed, 6 Jul 2022, Updated: Wed, 6 Jul 2022