Victoria Hotel Rothesay On The Isle Of Bute Geography 'Buteshire' is one of the 'traditional counties' of Scotland, comprising
a number of islands in the Firth of Clyde, principally the Isle
of Bute, the Isle of Arran and Great Cumbrae. Bute lies in the Firth of Clyde. The only town on the island, Rothesay (Grid reference NS087645) is linked by ferry to the mainland. Other villages on the island include; * Ardbeg Bute is divided in two by the Highland Boundary Fault. North of the fault the island is hilly and largely uncultivated with extensive areas of forestry. The south fault is highly cultivated with smooth terrain, however on the far south you will find the island's most rugged terrain around Glen Callum. Loch Fad is Bute's largest body of freshwater and runs along the faultline. The western side of Bute is known for its beaches many of which enjoy fine views over the Sound of Bute towards Arran and Bute's smaller satellite island Inchmarnock. In the north Bute is separated from the Cowal peninsula by the Kyles of Bute.
Victoria Hotel - The History Of The Isle Of Bute The island boasts a rich historical, archeological and geneological
heritage. This is the ancestral home of the Stuart Kings of Scotland
and Rothesay
Castle, built over 800 years ago by a hereditary High Steward
of Scotland named Stewart (later Stuart). The circular design
and perimeter moat is unique in Scotland. It is likely that before the Gaels arrived and absorbed Bute into the Cenél Comgall of Dál Riata that the island was home to people who spoke a Brythonic language (akin to modern day Welsh). Later during the viking period the island was known as Rothesay and the main town on the island was Bute. Presumably widespread and long term misuse of the titles was eventually officially recognised and the names were swapped to reflect popular usage. Perhaps in the future history will repeat itself and the same exchange of names may occur to rectify the popular Glaswegian confusion of Millport with Cumbrae! After the viking period the island was not granted to the Lord of the Isles as were most of the islands off Scotland's west coast. Instead Bute became the personal property of the Scottish monarchy. In the 1940s and 1950s Bute served as a large naval headquarters.
Local Services and Activities The Victoria Hotel is located in the picturesque
town of Rothesay (population 6000), convenient for local shopping
and variety of restaurants
serving local scottish fish and game to Asian,
Indian and Chinese.The area enjoys a host of activities within easy
reach, such as sailing, golf, canoeing, fishing and walking.
There is a thriving arts scene on the Isle of Bute encompassing
music, drama and the visual arts. In the summer there are
a number of high profile events such as The Isle of Bute Jazz and
Folk festivals, The Cowal Games, May Market (Cairndow) and village
galas such as those held at Ardrishaig and Kilmartin. Architectural attractions on the island include the ruined twelfth century St Blane's Chapel on a site associated with Saint Catan and Saint Blane, who was born on Bute. Another ruined chapel, dating from the sixth century, lies at St Ninian's Point. The eccentric Mount Stuart House, one of the world's most impressive neo-Gothic mansions, brings many architectural students from Glasgow on day-trips. There is also Rothesay Castle, built 800 years ago by the hereditary High Steward of Scotland. The 1920's Winter Garden now houses the 'Isle of Bute Discovery Centre', where details of current attractions and events can be found. Other attractions include a variety of music, folk and poetry festivals, and walking trails and new cycling routes. There are a variety of remote Bronze Age stone circles and early-Christian remains, which are best appreciated by first visiting the Bute Museum of the island's history. "Make the most of your golf vacations
in Scotland |
The Victoria Hotel, 55 Victoria Street, Rothesay,
Isle of Bute, Scotland,UK "The Gateway to the Highlands and Islands Of Scotland" Bute ('fire' or 'beacon fire' or 'victory Isle') The island is about fifteen miles long and about three to five miles broad, and covers 48 square miles. Most of the island is very low and fertile, while the northern end is more hilly, rising to over 900 feet, as is the southern tip. There are fine beaches at Ettrick Bay, Scalpsie Bay, and at Kilchattan Bay, and the scenery at Kingarth is particularly fine. Bute was declared a Royal Burgh by Robert III in 1400, Rothesay is the main town on the island, dating mostly from Victorian times with its pier and Art Nouveau Winter Gardens of 1924 (now with a restaurant and cinema), and sweeps along Rothesay Bay and around Bogany Point. The Victorian toilets in Rothesay are a gem of a public convenience, although only for men. In Rothesay and the Island of Bute you will find many prehistoric monuments, including standing stones or circles at Ettrick Bay, Largizean and Blackpark Plantation, as well as several chambered cairns, including those at Kilmichael, Northpark on Inchmarnock, Hilton and Bickers Houses (there are also others: Carnbaan [NS 006693] and Glecknabae [NS 008682]). There are also several forts or duns: Little Dunagoil was occupied through the Bronze Age and by Vikings in the 12th and 13th centuries. The medieval chapel and early Christian monastery at Kingarth are set in a wonderful location, and there is also a chapel, St Mary's, in Rothesay, with the stone effigy of a warrior. Bute View The island was held by the Norsemen as part of the Hebrides, although seized by the Scots after the battle of Largs in 1263. The Stewarts held the island, and the fine castle at Rothesay, with its wet moat, before later moving to Mount Stuart. Other castles are at Karnes, held by the Bannatyne family; Wester Kames, a property of the MacKinlays, Spences and Grahams; Meikle Kilmory, held by the Jamiesons; and Kelspoke. Set in splendid grounds, Mount Stuart is the fine mansion of the Stewart Marquis of Bute, and is open to the public. The Isle of Bute The Isle of Bute - by Norman S. Newton
Argyll & ButeArgyll and Bute lies to the north and west of Glasgow and is an area of peninsulas, lochs and offshore islands which form the Inner Hebrides archipelago. It is well visited with close links to Glasgow and boasts and interesting mix of lowlands and highlands. Historically it was an area hit hard by The Clearances through the 18th and 19th centuries where the increase in sheep farming - "white plague" - meant that lairds and landlords evicted thousands from their traditional crofts and by so doing eradicated their way of life. This was also the stronghold for the Irish Celts who settled here in the fifth century from which Scotland got it's name originating from "Scotti". Today that culture is noticeable from the bilingual road signs but it's really the islands of Islay, Coll and Tiree that are the stronghold for the Gaelic speakers today. With such a long and varied history there are a wealth of historic sights and castles in Argyll & Bute, particularly around Kilmartin Glen north of Lochgilphead. The area is sparsely populated with the countryside being dotted with small settlements and villages. Canals and marinas are popular for leisure craft and there are plenty of walking opportunities.
Caledonian MacBrayne
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