The inaugural event in 2008 was a celebration of Tasty, Fresh and Seasonal locally-sourced food. It showcased the finest fresh produce from Bute and the surrounding areas of Argyll, as well as showing the importance of eating food that is good, clean and fair - in line with the values of ‘Slow Food’.
eatBute08 was organised and promoted by Mount Stuart Trust in association with Slow Food UK and Petersham Nurseries. It was a new and exciting addition to our Island’s event calendar. The aim – to promote sustainability and biodiversity, as well as to protect the rich traditions and culture linked with locally produced food.
In its first year, the farmers’ market on Saturday 24th May, attracted almost 2000 visitors who were able to purchase a range of food products from eggs, milk and cheese to lamb, beef and pork. Positive feedback was received from all stall holders with most having sold out well before the scheduled end.
Feedback from the event was exceptionally positive, as shown by this selection of comments:
First Milk UK, eatBute’s main event sponsor; “On behalf of us all at First Milk, I’d like to congratulate you on the success of eatBute08, and to thank you for the opportunity to be part of the event. On many levels it appears to have been a very significant success. This dinner was a magnificent occasion, and the farmers’ market on the Saturday very successful.“
Chef, Nick Nairn; “You have a unique opportunity, because Bute is a microcosm of everything good going on in Scottish food. I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen – a shining example of what you can do when enough people want it to happen.“
Chairman of VisitScotland, Peter Lederer; “We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Bute and were so impressed by the planning and organisation of the event.“
Director of the Soil Association, Patrick Holden; “I thought it all went brilliantly well… the message will not have been lost on anyone who attended, including the islanders who were reconnected with the story behind their food. I was inspired with a sense that I had been present at the beginning of a whole new chapter of Bute’s food and farming history.“
Take a look around eatbute website to get a taste of Bute.
eatBute will continue to be an annual event held at Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute
Dates for 2010: 10th – 12th September
Dancers at the games
SATURDAY 21st AUGUST 2010
To enhance the Bute Games weekend there are 2 events for you to enjoy in 2010
On Friday 20th August Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain will be performing at the Rothesay Pavilion. Full details can be found here
On Saturday night there is an after games ceilidh at Mountstuart House with music from the Bute Ceilidh Band. Not to be missed - Full details here
The annual gathering at the Bute Highland Games is a spectacle that shouldn’t be missed. This years event will take place on 22nd August at the Bute Showground.
The origins of Highland Games in Scotland can be traced back many hundreds of years. Clan chiefs used the games to recruit staff-Winners of races made excellent couriers, while winners of strength events made fine bodyguards and soldiers.
Rival Clan Chiefs often used to match their champions against each other at important Highland Gatherings and great status was placed on winning and losing.
Dancers and Pipers also became part of the household staff of Clan Chiefs-not merely for their entertainment value but also for the esteem and glory which their skills and success reflected on their masters.
King Malcolm is thought to have begun the Royal association with Highland Games at Braemar during the 11th Century. It was Queen Victoria, who dearly loved Scotland, who later made modern Highland Games so universally popular from the 19th. Century onwards.
Although Games were held on Bute in earlier times, their exact history is unclear. The modern Games as we know them began in 1947, under the auspices of Bute Shinty and Amateur Athletic Sports Club.
Wrestlers at the Rothesay Games
The founder Secretary Tom B. McMillan served as Honorary Secretary from 1947 till 1989. He remained active on the Organising Committee as our Vice Chieftain until his sad death during 1993. In 1989 Gordon Sutherland was appointed Honorary Secretary until he stepped down at the Annual General Meeting in June, 2008. At the same AGM David Anderson was unanimously appointed Secretary – the third Secretary in 61 years.
These Games have gradually grown in status and strength, to their present position as one of the major events on the Highland Games calendar.
All competitions at Bute Highland Games are run in accordance with Amateur Rules and Regulations. The preparatory and organisational work is carried out by volunteers.
Visit the Official Highland Games Website
This years FESTIVAL is scheduled for Thursday 30th April - Monday 4th MAY
Phil Mason - the founding committee member of the Jazz Festival
The Isle of Bute Jazz Festival began in 1988 and has been staged annually on the first weekend of May ever since - thisyear’s event will be the 21st.
The first Festival was a small affair with only six bands, and the organisers held their breath to see if anyone would come to a small Scottish island with little tradition of jazz (although big dance bands certainly played regularly at Rothesay Pavilion in the 1950’s and 60’s). Happily enough fans turned up that first year to encourage another venture the following year, and the Festival has continued to grow in reputation and stature ever since.
Some very well known jazz names featured on the programme over the next few years - Acker Bilk, Monty Sunshine, Martin Taylor, Tommy Smith, Andy Sheppard, Carol Kidd, The Temperance 7, and The London Community Gospel Choir amongst others, and the Festival continues to attract top class UK and international bands in mainly the Traditional New Orleans idiom.
The Festival is a great supporter of young musicians who feature prominently in the annual programme.
Phil Mason
Director Phil Mason - another well-known name in jazz circles - is a long-term resident on the Island and he brings his very popular New Orleans All-Stars with Blues & Gospel singer Christine Tyrrell to the weekend every year.
The official Isle of Bute Jazz, Rhythm & Blues Festival website is HERE
