THE ISLE OF BUTE
The Scottish Madera
Bute (/ˈbjuːt/; also known as the Isle of Bute, Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Bhòid or Eilean Bhòdach) is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. It is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault.
Bute is one of the most accessible Scottish islands, just a short 35 minute ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay. You will see splendid Victoriana and art deco-style.
Rothesay is a wonderful seaside resort with palm trees, a promenade a castle in the middle of the town and award winning Victoriana toilets.
Bute has a rich and varied past and is home to ‘Mount Stuart house’ the Jewel in our crown.
For such a compact island, Bute has some extraordinarily varied landscapes. From the lush, fertile and rolling hills of the island's heart to the craggy, heather-covered moorlands of the north and the delightful sandy beaches around the coastline, the island is a haven for walking, cycling, fishing and wildlife.
We love Bute and if you have visited then you will too, if you have not been ‘Doon the Watter’ to Bute then you must make the trip to see our Bute-i-ful Isle.
Rothesay Harbour
How to get to Bute
When artist Nicola Jones was invited to Bute for a visit by a friend, she had no idea it would be the start of a love affair with the island.
New beginnings
Having just left university, her visit paved the way for a new chapter in her life:
"As soon as the ferry turned into the bay and I saw the view of the island, I just fell in love with it. I'm originally from the west coast but I just adore this place."
Before long, Nicola had settled into her new life:
"I obviously had to find work, so I decided to set up a shop in Rothesay called The Studio Shop. I only had £1,000 to set it up so I took on the lease, put some of my work on the wall, and that was the start of the adventure."
Nicola was experimenting with her art at the time, and her style became successful very quickly:
"I knew something would come out my experimentation - due largely to the positive feedback I received. The consensus was 'wow! This is really different!' so I just had to run with it to see how far it could go."
The artistic process...
Described as 'representational' Nicola's style is certainly unusual: one that has created much debate among fellow artists. Colourful, fun and unique, her work is digitally hand-drawn, using photographs to ensure that her work retains the integrity of each Bute location.
"I use digital brushes to create the composition and then work with the colour. I like to be accurate, so if there are cars in front of a building that I want to photograph I can be back ten times to capture the detail, just to make sure I've got it all correct...although I do at times bend my own rules and use my artistic licence! The images dictate their final state; the style sits on the view and the view does the rest."
The images, explains Nicola, can take up to four days to create.
"Traditional bias dictates that the computer does all the work but that simply isn't the case. If you look closely at the work you'll see that the curves aren't perfect and the placing of things is quite random. If the computer was doing this it would be flawless."
Nicola's technique evolved from her experiments with drawing and photography. With her training in these disciplines she combined her vision with the tools available on the multimedia platform:
"My first picture was the view of Rothesay harbour from my flat. It was two photos that I wanted to merge as one.
As I couldn't, I drew it on the computer instead."
Whilst Nicola's work is representational, she connects with it on an emotional level:
"My ideal would be to live inside my happy little pictures - I want a house in the country, with a cat and lots of peace and quiet - welcome to my world!"
Beyond Bute
Nicola has now been working in this style for over 20 years and has created a collection which include landscapes of Bute, Glasgow streetscapes and landscapes, and other parts of Scotland. And her work is as wide-ranging in global appeal, as it is, in subject.
"My youngest customer is three and my oldest is over 90. I think the colours can't help but bring a smile, as they are so vibrant and cheerful. We all have hard lives at times, and I feel it's nice to have pictures where everything is happy and fun."
Another common theme in Nicola's work is the absence of cars and people:
"I show what's there today but without the 'human' goings on. I want to let the landmarks and architecture speak for themselves."
Nicola has achieved this in abundance, and her work can be found throughout Scotland, and has also been used for Rangers Football Club official merchandise, as well as various tourism retail outlets.
Nicola Jones: A Creative Visionary Revitalizing Scotland’s Artistic and Cultural Influence on the Global Stage
Nicola Jones, Founder, Happy Tartan® and The Highland Dancer®
Scotland has long been a land of innovation and artistic brilliance, where creativity isn’t just celebrated—it’s woven into the very fabric of its culture. From towering castles that have withstood the test of time to the bold patterns of tartan that carry centuries of tradition, every element of Scottish heritage tells a story of craftsmanship, resilience, and reinvention. This is a country where tradition and modernity don’t just coexist—they fuel each other, inspiring generations to push boundaries while staying deeply connected to their roots.
Today, that same pioneering spirit is driving a new wave of innovators—women entrepreneurs who are blending creativity with commerce to redefine success. These women are not simply building businesses; they are challenging conventions, shaping industries, and inspiring communities, proving that success is about more than just profit—it’s about impact, innovation, and legacy. Through their work, they are not only reviving Scotland’s cultural heritage but also reimagining it for the modern world, paving the way for future generations to follow and leaving a lasting imprint on Scotland’s creative landscape. Today, we are thrilled to introduce one such inspiring personality, Nicola Jones, a multimedia artist and founder of multiple creative brands, including Happy Tartan® and The Highland Dancer®.
A Bold Leap From Art to Entrepreneurship
Nicola always had a deep passion for art. From an early age, she found herself drawn to sketching, painting, and exploring new creative styles. But turning that passion into a career wasn’t an overnight success. It took years of dedication, learning, and taking risks. While studying multimedia at the College of Building and Printing, she was elected student president, a role that honed her leadership skills and deepened her understanding of creative industries. In 2000, she took a bold step, moving to the Isle of Bute and launching her first business, The Studio Shop, a small creative space where she could sell her work and connect with art enthusiasts. What began as a modest venture soon grew beyond her expectations. Her distinctive artistic style resonated with collectors around the world, with her original works now held in private collections across continents. Her art found its way into prestigious spaces, including the shop at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Glasgow, and earned recognition from some of Scotland’s most iconic institutions. Rangers Football Club showcased her work as official merchandise, and Celtic Football Club followed suit, offering her an exclusive licensing agreement—an extraordinary feat for an independent artist. Even historic institutions like The Panopticon embraced her work, further solidifying her influence in Scotland’s creative landscape.
But Nicola was never one to stand still. Beyond art, she channeled her vision into building a portfolio of successful brands that seamlessly blend heritage, fashion, and culture, each reflecting her deep connection to Scotland’s traditions while embracing modern design. One of her standout ventures, The Highland Dancer® quickly became the go-to brand for Scottish dance apparel. Its dedication to quality and authenticity earned it the Best Scottish Dance Apparel Brand award in 2022. Not stopping there, now, Nicola is making waves again with Happy Tartan®, a brand designed to bring tartan-inspired custom designs to the fashion world. With each venture, Nicola has built more than just businesses—she has created platforms that celebrate Scotland’s rich traditions in a modern and meaningful way.
Happy Tartan: A Global Brand with a Scottish Heart
Nicola is taking her creative vision to new heights in 2025 with the launch of Happy Tartan®—a brand designed to spread joy, celebrate tartan, and showcase the timeless charm of Scottish tradition to the world. “Happy Tartan isn’t just a fashion and gift brand—it’s about bringing happiness and fun, with a focus on bold tartan designs, modern Scottish style, and joyful branding,” asserts Nicola. “I want to make tartan fun, accessible, and globally loved. Whether through clothing, accessories, or collaborations, Happy Tartan will celebrate Scotland’s heritage with a fresh and dynamic approach,” she adds.
But what truly sets Happy Tartan® apart is its deeper purpose—an unwavering commitment to giving back. Nicola envisions it not just as a platform for bold, modern Scottish design but as a force for good. Through a dedicated charity initiative, Happy Tartan® will support Highland dance and youth arts, ensuring young talents have the resources and opportunities to embrace their cultural roots and keep Scotland’s rich traditions alive for future generations. With the official website set to launch later this year, Happy Tartan is poised to make a lasting impact—not just in Scotland but across the world.
A Visionary Leader Driving Community Impact
Beyond her artistic and entrepreneurial achievements, Nicola’s influence extends into education and community development. During her decade-long tenure at Argyll College, she played a pivotal role in developing creative learning strategies, making education more accessible and engaging. Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed, earning her a national teaching award for her work with Crew Phoenix, an initiative supporting assisted learning adults through artistic engagement.
Nicola’s dedication to the community is equally evident in her long-standing involvement in various local projects. When Bute lacked adequate play facilities for children, she built a play park, spearheading Project Play Park to fund and develop safe, engaging play opportunities on the island. She also founded Bute Tiddlers, an indoor playgroup designed to provide young families with quality play equipment and structured activities. Her involvement in cultural and tourism development has been just as impactful. As a Voluntary Arts Ambassador and Community Engagement Officer for the Argyll & Isles Tourism Cooperative (AITC), she has played a key role in promoting tourism, fostering community wealth building, and strengthening the Bute brand. Meanwhile, her role as a trustee for the Rothesay Pavilion restoration project has been instrumental in restoring the historic venue into a world-class arts and events space that will serve as a cultural hub for years to come.
Rothesay Pavilion: Leading Bute’s Cultural Renaissance
Standing proudly on the Isle of Bute’s seafront, the Rothesay Pavilion is more than just a building—it’s a symbol of cultural renaissance and community transformation. Long celebrated for its rich tradition of variety entertainment—from dance and music to comedy and pantomime—the Pavilion has been at the heart of Bute’s artistic landscape for generations. Now, with a bold and ambitious restoration, it is set to reclaim its status as one of Scotland’s premier arts and events venues, seamlessly blending its storied past with an inspiring vision for the future. As a trustee of this landmark project, Nicola has been instrumental in shaping its revival—advocating for its restoration, strengthening community engagement, and ensuring that the Pavilion is not just preserved, but reimagined as a world-class cultural destination. “The Pavilion isn’t just about preserving the past; it’s about building the future—a space where artists, musicians, performers, and visitors can come together, experience world-class events, and contribute to the cultural and economic regeneration of Bute,” she affirms.
An Award-Winning Journey of Excellence
Nicola’s ability to seamlessly blend artistry with entrepreneurship has earned her widespread recognition in the business world. Over the years, she has received multiple industry accolades, including the Good Practice Teaching Award in 2010 for her work at Argyll College and a top-three placement in the TalkTalk Digital Heroes Award in 2012. Her success in the fashion industry has also been widely acknowledged, with The Highland Dancer winning the Micro Business Award in 2021. The following year, the brand reached another milestone, earning the title of Best Scottish Dance Apparel Brand at the SME Awards. In addition to these wins, Nicola has been a finalist in the Scottish Independent Retail Awards multiple times (2020, 2023, and 2024) in the Fashion & Accessories category, proving her sustained impact in Scotland’s retail and fashion industries. Each award and recognition speaks volumes about her unwavering commitment to excellence, adaptability, and ability to merge tradition with forward-thinking business strategies.
Defining the Future of Scottish Entrepreneurship
Nicola is more than an entrepreneur—she is a cultural ambassador, a creative visionary, and a driving force behind Scotland’s evolving artistic and business landscape. Through her artistic vision, brand development, and commitment to community engagement, she continues to shape the entrepreneurial landscape in Scotland. Beyond business, Nicola is also known for her dynamic performances, spinning poi and fire, and working with larger-than-life mascot costumes with children at ButeFest—bringing creativity and excitement to the island’s biggest cultural celebrations. This unique combination of business insight and creative expression perfectly illustrates her belief that entrepreneurship should enrich communities in more ways than one. As Scotland continues to thrive as a hub of innovation, women entrepreneurs like Nicola are proving that success is not just about financial gain—it’s about innovation, resilience, and a lasting legacy. By inspiring future generations, fostering collaboration, and breaking new ground, these women are ensuring that Scotland remains a hub of creativity and entrepreneurial excellence for years to come.
https://emeaentrepreneur.com/magazine-digital/vol-3-issue-9-scotland.html#features/19
Bute (/ˈbjuːt/; also known as the Isle of Bute, Scottish Gaelic: Eilean Bhòid or Eilean Bhòdach) is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. It is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault.
