The Beautiful Island of Bute
The Isle of Bute has a great deal of fascinating wildlife to offer.  Anyone with an interest in things that walk, fly, crawl, slither and swim will have a multitude of opportunities to see their favourite animals in a marvellous setting, their own, undisturbed Island environment.
There is such a diverse variety of wildlife to keep even the keenest nature enthusiast stimulated and inspired. As well as the many more widespread species you may see throughout the U.K. the following is a small assortment which have all been spotted on Bute either visiting or living here. Osprey, Hen Harriers, Buzzards, Golden Eagles, Red Throated Divers, Gadwalls, Gargany, Bar Tailed Godwits, Golden Plover, Meadow Pippets, Skylarks, Whitethroats & Jays Scotch Argus Butterflies, Red and Roe Deer, Porpoise, Dolphins, Grey Seals , Highland Cattle, Foxes, Mink, A Heronry, Bird Hides and so much more that space simply doesn’t allow.
Below you will read just one of many beautiful, memorable and educational walks to take on the island. The Bute Bird group has some interesting info for birdwatchers at http://butebirdgroup.co.uk/pages/homepage.php

For more inspiring exciting wildlife walks for most ages and abilities not to mention a very enjoyable read please visit the website of one of Bute’s very own nature fanatic’s and keen walker Norrie Mulholland: www.birdseyeviewofbute.co.uk

A walk to the Bull Loch.

This is a short, ( 4m, 6.6 Km) but exhilarating walk from the Rhubodach/Colintraive ferry terminal, walking to the loch and returning a slightly different way.

Park at the car park at the terminal.  There are buses to this point but are infrequent for this short walk. Head past the ticket office and you will come to a gate with a sign saying ‘Rhubodach Shore Walk’. (image no 1) Through this gate and follow the path to the brow of the small hump, then carry on the path, then as the path becomes non-existent, head to the shores, and along the high water mark till you come to the Ballnakailly Burn.  Follow it upstream till you see the way across it, used by tractors etc, then as you wade across it (depending how much rain we have been having) or the state of the tides.  Just before you come to the crossing place, look to the edge of the woods and you will see a galvanised gate, (Image no 2) head for this gate.. If you happen to have a heavy dog, the gate will pull out at the bottom, allowing access for your canine friend.  As you climb over this gate (no hinges) watch out for the barbed wire on top of the post.

Follow the faint path till it all but disappears, then look at (image no 3). Keep heading the way that you were walking, and as you start to climb you will see that there is a deep track to your right, this was caused by the horse and carts heading to Ballnakailly .  If you see these tracks, then you are on the right way up, with the stream to you left, with a big drop down to it.

Carry on upwards till you come to an S bend on the stream and also on the path.. On a tree to your left you will see a bird box, which is one of many being used by tits, pied flycatchers etc, and by bats in the winter months.  Go round this tree and swing to your left, then about 50 yds onwards your path takes a right turn, and you should end up at  a moss covered small wall with an iron post atop of it. ( Image no 4) Drop down over the wall, then move about 5 yds to your right and you will see the way through the pine trees, which form an arch coming to a round stone with a deep hollow in it.( possibly for grinding corn) (Image no 5).  Then in front of you are the Ballnakailly ruins. (image no 6) , keep them on your right and you will be on a boggy path heading uphill once more.. After about 100 yds, on your right you will come across piles of pine needles which is the home of Wood Ants, and if it is sunny then they will be busy and if you hold your hand over them, they will spit formic acid on to you which smell like vinegar, but don’t get too close as they also have a tendency to bite.

Up, and onwards till you come to the turning area for lorries, then on to the Landover track till you come to the main Landover track.. As you come to this junction you will see a post with an arrow on it on your left, this is the way that you will return after a visit to the loch. Carry on the main track heading upwards, until you notice that the pine trees are well below you. Look out for a large stone with a near horizontal crack on it at the edge of the woods, this is letting you know that you are on the right track and nearing the final turning point.

Onwards and upwards until it levels off a wee bit looking out for a pine tree that is right at the track on your right, that means that you are 50 yds from your next turning.  Look out for the pine trees to stop and being replaced with smaller broad leaved ones, this is the sign that you are almost there

Ahead and on your left high up is a solitary small pine tree, head for this, and when you get to it, look to your right and you will see a gap between the trees with the path in the middle.

Head up this path, and swing to your left at the top.  Carry on along and down following a well used path through the heather, coming to boggy bits, then more heather, then more boggy bits, then as you get to level ground be very careful as what you may think is a path, maybe a ditch which may be very deep. Onwards to the loch (image no. 7) which is now in sight and is only minutes away from you.

Tea/Coffee time, then back up the hill and head to the Landrover track. Turn left, heading downhill till you come to that sign that I mentioned before.  Swing to your right and on to the next sign, turn left and you will eventually come to the main road.  Go left, and walk along the grass verge to your car.

I hope that you have had a good walk and may try more that I will write about.

Norrie Mulholland