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

The gardens on Bute have something to delight every taste.  Visitors to Bute will be thrilled to observe Scottish gardening at its most diverse and finest on one island.  From the substantial 300 acres of vibrant gardens, woodland and walks at Mount Stuart to the informal abundantly planted Ascog Hall with its unique, award winning Victorian Fernery to the formal, immaculately tended bedding displays, aviary and glasshouses at Ardencraig Gardens. Bute is a plant enthusiast’s paradise. When you can’t resist purchasing some of the plants you have seen on your visit to Bute you have many opportunities at Ascog Hall, Mount Stuart and Mill Cottage Garden Centre.

Ascog Hall Fernery & Gardens

Ascog Hall Gardens and Victorian Fernery 
A charming three acre garden in a fairy-tale setting with an awe-inspiring Victorian fern house, a fascinating gravel garden favoured by butterflies and visitors alike, and a rose garden abundantly planted with ramblers and old shrub roses. Elsewhere, meandering paths lead through exotic plantings with a mixture of trees, shrubs, bulbs and choice perennials providing interest and colour from Easter to autumn.

Please see our facebook page for all events and many photographs of the garden throughout the season.
For all other information and enquiries visit  www.ascoghallfernery.co.uk

Ardencraig Gardens

Ardencraig Gardens
Recently described as having the “best display of summer bedding anywhere in Scotland”  this beautiful walled garden and glasshouses at their finest in July & August are run by Argyll and Bute council and have been developed to create a propagation, education and show garden with new cultivars introduced annually. The plants cultivated at Ardencraig are used throughout the Argyll and Bute region.  There are a number of aviaries housing a range of foreign bird species that have been built to provide further interest - these are very popular with visiting children!  The vibrant, well maintained displays in Rothesay are highly praised and enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.
www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk/gardens/ardencraig-gardens.html

Mount Stuart

Mount Stuart kitchen garden

300 acres and 300 years of fascinating and constantly evolving gardening at Mount Stuart make it a must see for all visitors to Bute. Designed upon an exquisite natural canvas provided by the island’s lush habitat and picturesque shoreline, today, they are amongst Europe’s finest vibrant gardens, wilderness and woodland.

Mount Stuart has an exotically planted 5 acre wee garden, an elaborate rock garden designed by Thomas Mawson, a Pinetum, a Kitchen Garden containing culinary and medicinal delights and an elegant glass house pavilion, a contemporary garden surrounding the award winning visitor centre, not to mention countless enjoyable walks through the policies and plants for sale. There are also vast carpets of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells to delight in depending on the time of year you visit.

www.mountstuart.com

The slip at Ardmaleish, birthplace of many Mylne designs. Pic courtesy www.mylne.com

The Mylne Classic Yacht Regatta 2009
The visit this week of the inaugural Mylne Classic Yacht Regatta added a spectacular yachting sparkle to Rothesay’s new inner harbour marina. The Mylne yachts, the majority of which were built on Bute at the Ardmaleish Boatyard,then known as Bute Slip Dock (right) are beautiful examples of classic boat design. 
On Monday 13th the fleet raced down from the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club at Rhu near Helensburgh. After an evening event hosted by the Isle of Bute Sailing Club and overnight stay in Rothesay the racing after a sail past at Ardmaleish to commemorate the yard. 
The course for Tuesday took the fleet through the Kyles of Bute with the large vessels continuing on a course around the island, whilst the smaller boats rounded a mark at Tighnabruich and return to Rothesay through the Kyles.  Unfortunately the light winds made the racing difficult  and some has to be towed in.

The beautiful Kelpie gets off the mark for the race around Bute. pic copyright Andy Walters

On wednesday the wind had rallied slightly and the course to Cumbrae and back offered great views of the fleet passing Craigmore and Ascog. In the evening Mountstuart House held a reception and in the morning the fleet departed northwards for the return to the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club for a formal dinner and prize giving.

After the success of the spectacular Fife Regatta in 2008, let’s hope that the Mylne fleet returns to the Clyde and Bute next year.

FEBRUARY
Tuesday 23rd February 2010 – Meeting point – Discovery Centre, Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Rothesay Heritage Walk
A special interest walk looking at the history of Rothesay’s Town Centre through it’s built heritage and spaces
Date/Time: 11.00 am

MARCH
Night Time Tour of Mount Stuart
Friday 19th March
Please call (01700) 503877 for further information.

APRIL
Easter Egg Hunt in the Mount Stuart Rock Garden
Saturday 3rd April
Please call (01700) 503877 for further information.

Easter Egg Hunt at Ascog Hall
3rd - 10th April

MAY
Fri 30th April - Mon 3rd May
The Isle of Bute Jazz Festival

May 22nd
Ascog Hall - Calum’s Cabin Charity Open Day
An opportunity for everyone who hasn’t managed to visit before to come along at this lovely time of year and see the garden in all it’s full spring glory.  All monies raised on this day will go to the wonderful Calum’s Cabin. Tea/coffee and homebaking available.

Sunday 23rd May, 11am – 4pm
Bute Food & Craft Market at Mount Stuart
Situated within the Courtyard Area of the House, sample and purchase locally produced food and craft.

JUNE
June 20th
Ascog Hall - FATHERS DAY
Go on, give your dad an afternoon out at Ascog Hall Gardens & fernery.  As it’s father’s day all dad’s get in for free .

JULY
Sunday 25th, 11am – 4pm
Bute Food & Craft Market at Mount Stuart
Situated within the Courtyard Area of the House, sample and purchase locally produced food and craft.

AUGUST
August 1st
Ascog Hall - Teddy Bears Picnic Sunday 
14.00 p.m. bring your favourite toy and a blanket and enjoy a picnic under the big monkey puzzle tree.  Refreshments included in admission.
Adults £4 children £1.00

Weds Aug 11th
Bute Agricultural Annual Show

Friday 20th - Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham in concert
Full Details Here

Sat Aug 21st
Bute Highland Gathering

Post Highland Games Ceilidh at Mountstuart House
Full Details Here

SEPTEMBER
eatBute 10 at Mount Stuart
Friday 10th – Sunday 12th September
An annual Island event, highlighting sustainability, biodiversity, traditions and cultures linked with food on Bute and the surrounding areas.
Keep up to date with the latest news and developments on www.eatbute.com

24th – 27th
18th Annual Linedance Festival

DECEMBER
Festive Food & Craft Market at Mount Stuart
Sunday 5th December, 11am – 4pm
Situated within the stunning setting of Mount Stuart, sample and purchase locally produced food and craft. Entry to this event is free.

The West Island Way starts at Kilchattan Bay. Image © Footprint Maps

 

Can’t spare the time to tackle the West Highland Way then come to Bute and try our 26 mile route. This is the first waymarked long distance path on a Scottish island is a fairly easy walk including seashore, moorland, farmland and forest.  Consisting of two almost circular linked routes at the north and south end of Bute, a fit walker could make 2 day walks from the route with a base in Rothesay. Alternatively the route can be split into a number of easily managable sections.  The route embraces a variety of landscapes including seashore, moorland, farmland and forest. It passes St Blane’s Chapel, the abandoned townships in Glen More and the outskirts of Rothesay. There is minimal road-walking.

The route begins at Kilchattan Bay in the south of the island, and finishes at Port Bannatyne in the north, with Rothesay, the main town on Bute, as a central point. 

The official guide map from Footprint Maps  ISBN (978-1-871149-51-7) is available from the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre and some other outlets.

Luxury Lodges on Bute's west coast

Nether Stravannan is a development of two luxury self-catering lodges, built on the site of an old 18th century farm steading. The lodges are ideally situated on the south west of the island, with exceptional views across Stravannan Bay to Arran. 
Nether Stravannan is comprised of two lodges: North Lodge and South Lodge. Both lodges have 2 double bedrooms and 2 twin bedrooms, spacious living and dining areas and fully fitted modern kitchens. South Lodge also benefits from a large open plan play area, situated on an upper floor. Large patio doors open directly onto the gardens, which are beautifully kept and have the benefit of sunlight from dawn until dusk. Board games, DVD’s and CD’s are provided for your enjoyment.
An activity pack is also provided with details of how to arrange golfing, fishing & horse riding in the local area. The lodges are adjacent to Kingarth’s 9 hole golf course, and are ideally situated near to some of the best walking and cycling routes on the island.
More details from the Mount Stuart website 

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 

St Blanes Hotel

St Blanes Hotel
Kilchattan Bay
Isle of Bute
PA20 9NW
Tel: +44(0)1700 831224
Fax +44(0)1700 831381

Email
Visit the Website 

Nestling at the waters edge of the picturesque Kilchattan Bay at the southern end of the Isle of Bute, St Blane’s is a family owned & run licensed hotel. This beautifully quiet location, looking across the Firth of Clyde, to views of the Ayrshire coast and Cumbrae Isles, is ideal for those people wanting to just relax and have a quiet life.

The hotel, a 19th century listed building, is situated at the start of the ‘West Island Way’ making it an ideal base for walkers wishing to take on the challenge of these scenic circumnavigational walks. The island boasts an abundance of wildlife both on the island and the surrounding shores. The hotel courtesy minibus can be booked for drop-off or pick-up at various points  on the island.All bedrooms have been recently refurbished, are en-suite, and include tea and coffee making facilities plus multi-channel ‘FreeView’ colour TV. Most have stunning sea views. Make your accommodation choice from our luxury four poster rooms, or our double, twin or single rooms. “Wireless Internet” facilities are available throughout the hotel in both the bedrooms and public areas.

WELCOME TO MUNRO’S

At Munro’s relax and enjoy our quiet location up on the hill in Ardbeg.  Our large garden has marvellous views over the bay and on beautiful mornings you can have your breakfast on the terrace. You may even spot a fish in the lily-pond.

All our beautifully decorated rooms are all ensuite - one with a whirlpool bath - and also include flat screen TV’s, wireless broadband access, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, lovely soft bathrobes, speciality teas and luxury toiletries.

Visit the Munro’s Website

The Green Tree Cafe

The Green Tree Cafe
Since opeing in early 2006 the Green Tree community cafe has established itself as a great lunchtime venue in the centre of Rothesay. Set up to promote healthy eating the cafe serves interesting food at very good value for money prices

There’s more info about the Green Tree Cafe and the Bute Healthy Easting initiative here