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A mini guide to
Rothesay and the island: getting there
Stops, stations and how to reach Rothesay and the island
Stops and stations
Getting to Rothesay and the island
Choose the stop closest to where you are going.
| Stop or station | Services | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Rothesay ferry terminal | CalMac from Wemyss Bay (35 minutes) | Main arrival point, in the town centre |
| Rhubodach slipway | CalMac from Colintraive (5 minutes) | Short crossing from Cowal in the north |
| Wemyss Bay station | ScotRail from Glasgow Central (52 minutes) | Next to the ferry terminal |
| Island buses | West Coast Motors | Buses around the island; CalMac also mentions an open-top tour |
Reaching Isle of Bute
Official travel information
Two CalMac routes serve Bute: the main ferry from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and the short crossing from Colintraive on Cowal to Rhubodach in the north of the island. Book vehicle space in advance in summer.
- CalMac: Bute → — ferries from Wemyss Bay and Colintraive
- ScotRail → — trains from Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay
- West Coast Motors → — buses on Bute
- Traveline Scotland journey planner → — bus and ferry timetables
Times, fares and disruption change: use the operator pages above for live information.
Plan your journey here
Enter your starting point and Google Maps will show routes to Rothesay and the island. Public transport is selected; change it on the map. Check operator sites for live disruption.
While you are here
Things to see in Rothesay and the island
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Mount Stuart
Gothic Revival home of the Marquesses of Bute, designed by Robert Rowand Anderson in the late 1870s; seasonal opening.
Dunagoil
Vitrified Iron Age fort on a volcanic headland, its ramparts melted by intense heat.
Kilchattan Bay
Village at the south end of Bute, sheltered by Suidhe Chattan hill, with a sandy bay to the north.
Photo credits
- Victorian Toilets: Kristijrn, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Rothesay and the island (area photo): Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Mount Stuart: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dunagoil: Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kilchattan Bay: Nicholas Mutton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Isle of Bute