Kames Castle Cottages
Planning your trip to Bute
 
 
The Isle of Bute offers a wonderful range of activities to its visitors...walking, riding, fishing, golf, local history…to name but a few.  There are also many interesting and family oriented seasonal events on Bute. Please take a look at the Visit Bute website as this regularly posts on upcoming events in the  area www.visitbute.com.  We would also recommend a visit to the Isle of Bute Discovery and Visit Scotland Information Centre (The Winter Garden, Victoria Street, Rothesay – located just next to the ferry terminal.) The centre houses Bute's visitor information, including a multi-media exhibition introducing visitors to the island. The centre can be contacted directly for further information and suggestions on what to do on the island.
www.visitscotland.com/info/services/rothesay-icentre
 
The following information is provided for guests of Kames Castle Cottages. Every effort has been made to ensure that the details are accurate. However, we kindly advise that guests check availability, prices and times with the respective companies and service providers.
 
 
WildBute.com   Fáilte gu An t-Eilean Bhòid
Discover the Culture, History, Heritage & Wild Life of Scotland's 'Royal' Island with WildBute.com... and just 90 minutes from Glasgow!  Home of the Stuart Kings of Scotland with Castles, Early Christian Sites (150 yrs Older than Iona), Iron Age Forts, Standing Stones & Circles and Wonderful Wildlife.  WildBute offers a range of interesting walks, talks and tours on Bute. For example, wildlife tours, visits to early Christian sites or tours of Rothesay.  WildBute are also happy to provide custom made tours.  
Confirmed guests of Kames Castle Cottages will receive a fixed discount per person on WildBute.com tours. Please contact us at info@kamescastlecottages.co.uk or David at contactus@wildbute.com

https://www.facebook.com/WildBute
 
Tranquility Rose Holistic Therapies 
Relax, unwind and restore with Tranquility Rose holistic therapies.  A range of therapies are offered at discounted rates for Kames guests. Long weekends combining individual treatments and group sessions of yoga, reiki and meditation can also be arranged.  Please contact us at info@kamescastlecottages.co.uk or May at enquiries@tranquilityrose.com
 
 
Walking
There are a number of beaches on the Isle of Bute offering beautiful seaside walks.  Ettrick Bay, Scalpsie Bay and Kilcattan Bay are three suggestions.   We can also recommend the West Island Way.  Opened in September 2000, this long-distance waymarked path – the first on a Scottish island – encompasses some of the finest walking on the Isle of Bute. The West Island Way crosses a variety of landscapes; seashore, moorland, farmland and forest, all providing a continually changing picture of Bute.

The route offers great opportunities to glimpse wildlife – you may be lucky enough to see a Basking Shark offshore at the south end, an Osprey over Loch Fad near Rothesay town, or a Red Deer in the north end of Bute. The Way also passes many highlights of Bute history – from the medieval St Blane’s Chapel at the south of the island to the abandoned townships in Glen More at the north end. www.westislandway.co.uk
 
 
Scenic Driving Routes
There are a number of scenic drives around the island.  A round island tour, for example, will take in some of the islands more famous buildings and architecture, beautiful beaches and bays, and historical sites such as the standing stones and historic churches.  When you arrive at your cottage you will find a booklet, Motorists Trail, that provides more detailed route information.
 
 
 
Bute Cycling
Bute is a fantastic destination for cyclists. It’s big enough to offer a wide range of cycling options, but not too big that the main town of Rothesay is ever that far away. The island has some truly splendid views and scenery. For more information please consult www.visitbute.com/cyclists-love-bute-and-vice-versa/
 
 
Explore beautiful Bute - Bus tour
This open-top bus tour on the Isle of Bute offers visitors to this beautiful island a great way to discover all that Bute has to offer including its stunning gardens and wonderful beaches. This great, round-island tour offers visitors to beautiful Bute the chance to see the whole island while enjoying interesting and informative commentary courtesy of the friendly drivers. 
www.citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk/our-other-tours/isle-of-bute-tour/
 
 

Loch Fad Fishery (Rainbow and Brown Trout)

The ‘long loch’ is situated on the lovely Island of Bute off the west coast of Scotland and lies directly along the Highland fault line. It is classified by Scottish Natural Heritage as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) for its scenic beauty and its huge diversity of bird life and vegetation. The fishery is suitable for both the serious and novice angler with a large area of the loch, and the 30 boats with 4hp outboards. Bait and spinning is permitted from the bank at the north end of the loch.  The facilities at the head of Loch Fad include a picnic area, anglers shelter, toilets, partial disabled access, tuition, ghillie and rod hire and our staff are on hand to offer expert and helpful advice

www.lochfad.co.uk Tel:01700 504871 Mobile: 07712 534511

Bute Museum
The Bute Museum is an independently run museum where visitors can explore the Natural and Historical Heritage of the Isle of Bute. The History & Archaeology Gallery has displays covering aspects of Bute’s History from Mesolithic and Neolithic times through to the closing years of the 20th century.  The Natural History Gallery allows visitors to explore the geology, plants, animals and birds of the island. www.butemuseum.org
 
 
Golf
Golfers will be interested to hear that there are three golf-courses on the island. The Port Bannatyne Golf club offers a concession for Kames guests - only £10 per round of golf any day of the week. Please contact us directly for further information at info@kamescastlecottages.co.uk.  Please also consult the golfclub website  www.portbannatynegolfclub.co.uk


Art at Kames Castle Estate with Scottish Artist Ruth Slater
Ruth Slater is a contemporary artist creating truly unique art in various media from her purpose-built studio on Bute's west coast. Throughout the year Ruth offers art classes at her studio and also at Kames.  At Kames guests can enjoy expert art tuition in the peace and tranquillity of this small, private estate. Our packages are offered with or without accommodation and typically comprise 10 hours of art tuition on a variety of techniques & skills, such as: 
Pencil sketching with tips & tricks,  
Watercolour techniques,
Botanical drawing, and  
Architectural details.
Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for further information, or contact us directly on info@kamescastlecottages.co.uk or Ruth at https://ruthslater.com
 
 
Mount Stuart
Mount Stuart is a 19th century country manor house with extensive gardens on the Isle of Bute. The spectacular Gothic house was the ancestral home of the Marquess of Bute. Mount Stuart is an award-winning attraction featuring magnificent Victorian Gothic architecture and design together with contemporary craftsmanship, surrounded by 300 acres of gloriously maintained grounds and gardens. The visitor centre houses a gallery, audio-visual presentation shop and restaurant. Guided tours are also available upon request. In addition to marvellous interiors and architecture, there are beautiful gardens and woodlands with an adventure play area and scenic picnic area within in the grounds. www.mountstuart.com

Bute Highland Games
What better way to indulge yourself in the pure flavour of Scotland than to experience at first hand the magic of a Highland Games set on a beautiful Scottish island? The wonderful and haunting music of pipe bands; the supreme expertise and skill of highland dancers; the prowess and strength of heavy event athletes and wrestlers; the enthusiasm and energy of track runners; the sheer endurance of road race competitors and an opportunity to see just what shinty is all about!  The games usually take place in August each year.  Please consult the website for further information. www.butehighlandgames.org/welcome/
 
 
ButeFest
ButeFest is one if the highlights in the Bute summer calendar.  A non-stop weekend of fun, family and music that takes place the last weekend in July.  2019 was the 5th year of the festival and provided a mythical carnival of Scottish spirit with bands, food and some wonderful shows to entertain and delight every age group.   Please consult the website for further information. www.butefest.co.uk