Welcome to Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Step off the ferry and you've arrived right in the heart of Rothesay, the main town on the beautiful Isle of Bute on Scotland's west coast.
For many visitors, Rothesay is their first introduction to Bute.
The ferry coming into the bay, the colourful buildings along the front, boats on the water, the hills surrounding the town and some rather wonderful architecture make that first arrival part of the adventure.
But don't be too quick to head straight out of town.
If you're searching for things to do in Rothesay, there's a surprising amount packed into a relatively small place.
There's a medieval castle, Victorian and Art Deco architecture, gardens, island history, shops, cafés, art, a museum, a promenade and plenty of little details to discover along the way.
And because Rothesay is compact, much of it can be explored on foot.
Start at Rothesay Bay
One of the best ways to begin exploring Rothesay is simply to walk.
Head along the seafront and take in the view across the Firth of Clyde.
Depending on the day, you'll see ferries coming and going, sailing boats, seabirds and the constantly changing Bute weather moving across the water.
It's also a lovely way to appreciate Rothesay's architecture.
Look upwards as well as straight ahead.
There are details in the buildings, old shopfronts, signs, stonework and little pieces of the town's history everywhere.
For me as an artist, those details have provided inspiration for years.
Bute has a wonderful collection of shapes, colours and buildings — which is probably why so many of them have eventually found their way into my drawings and Bute Gifts designs.
Explore Rothesay Castle
Then head into the centre of town and suddenly there it is.
Rothesay Castle.
It feels almost wonderfully improbable to have a medieval castle sitting right in the middle of town.
The castle is particularly unusual because of its great circular sandstone curtain wall. Historic Environment Scotland describes it as Scotland's only circular curtain wall, with four projecting towers added after the Norse siege of 1263.
The castle's story stretches back more than 800 years and is closely connected with the Stewart kings of Scotland.
Norwegian forces captured it during sieges in 1230 and 1263, and it later became a royal castle after Robert Stewart became King Robert II in 1371.
Today you can explore the courtyard, gatehouse and Great Hall and walk around the moat.
And yes, the castle ducks are very much part of the experience.
Discover Bute Museum
Close to the castle you'll find Bute Museum, another worthwhile stop if you'd like to understand more about the island you're exploring.
The museum covers the archaeology, history, flora, fauna and geology of Bute, providing a much deeper look at the island than you might get simply travelling around it.
The museum's collections have a long history too. The Bute Natural History Society was founded in 1905, while the museum moved into its current purpose-built location in 1927.
It's exactly the sort of place that helps you start noticing things differently once you're back outside.
Find the Winter Gardens
Walk back towards the seafront and you'll discover one of Rothesay's most distinctive buildings — the Winter Gardens.
Its wonderful domed structure has been part of Rothesay's seafront for generations and is one of those buildings that immediately says Bute to me.
It's also another example of why exploring Rothesay isn't just about looking at scenery.
The buildings tell stories too.
From medieval Rothesay Castle to the architecture of later generations, you can almost walk through different periods of Bute's history without leaving town.
Look out for Rothesay Pavilion
Continue along the front and another of Rothesay's great landmarks comes into view: Rothesay Pavilion.
The Pavilion dates from 1938 and has been undergoing a major restoration. It is now preparing to reopen in 2027, bringing the building back into use as an important cultural venue for Bute.
It's an exciting moment for the island.
The Pavilion has been part of Bute's cultural story for generations, and its return creates opportunities for music, performance, exhibitions, events, creativity and community life.
It also feels particularly significant as Bute looks towards the future and develops its bid for UK Town of Culture 2028.
And if you've read our previous blog, you'll know we're rather excited about that!
Take a Wander Through Rothesay
Not every part of exploring Bute needs an entrance ticket or itinerary.
Sometimes the best thing to do is wander.
Explore the streets behind the seafront.
Find the independent shops.
Stop for something to eat.
Have an ice cream.
Look at the architecture.
Watch the boats.
Take photographs.
Find a bench and sit looking across the water.
And, perhaps most importantly, give yourself time.
It's very easy when visiting somewhere new to concentrate on ticking attractions off a list.
Bute is better when you slow down a little.
Another Piece of Rothesay's History – St Mary's Chapel
If you want to explore a little further, St Mary's Chapel sits on the outskirts of Rothesay.
The surviving ruined chancel dates from the early 1300s and contains two impressive medieval canopied tombs, including the effigy of a knight whose coat of arms indicates a connection to the Royal House of Stewart.
It's another reminder of just how much history is concentrated around this small Scottish town.
Exploring Rothesay with the Happy Tartan Girls
And now we're going to start exploring Bute in another way.
Our Happy Tartan Girls are heading around the island too.
Over the coming months, they'll be discovering some of Bute's best-known places alongside some of the little things that are easy to miss.
They'll explore.
They'll draw.
They'll discover stories.
They'll probably get into the occasional bit of mischief.
And they'll help us look at familiar places through younger eyes.
This is also becoming part of our wider Explore Bute adventure — encouraging children and families to look, spot, draw, discover and learn as they travel around the island.
Because exploring somewhere shouldn't just be about looking at it.
Look for things. Ask questions. Draw something. Find something unusual. Learn a story.
That's when a place starts becoming memorable.
Bute Through an Artist's Eyes
I've been drawing and creating artwork inspired by the Isle of Bute for many years.
Buildings, landmarks, maps, ferries, familiar places and slightly quirky bits of island life have all made their way into my work.
Some started as drawings.
Some became prints.
Others became bags, clothing, gifts, stickers and illustrations.
And now many of those pieces are starting to come together again through Explore Bute.
That's one of the reasons I'm enjoying creating this series.
We're not starting from scratch.
We're going back through years of Bute artwork, stories and ideas and connecting them with the island as it is today.
Things to Do in Rothesay with Kids
Rothesay is also an easy place to turn sightseeing into a children's adventure.
Give them a few things to find:
Can you spot the castle?
How many boats can you see in the bay?
Can you find the Winter Gardens?
What shape is Rothesay Castle?
Can you spot a ferry?
What's the most colourful building you can find?
Can you draw your favourite thing you've seen in Rothesay?
Suddenly a walk around town becomes a treasure hunt.
That's exactly the thinking behind Explore Bute.
Rothesay is Only the Beginning
Of course, Rothesay is just one part of the Isle of Bute.
Beyond the town you'll find beaches, woodland, villages, gardens, historic sites, wildlife, wonderful views and some of the island's best-known attractions.
There's Mount Stuart, Ettrick Bay, Scalpsie Bay, Port Bannatyne, Kilchattan Bay, St Blane's and plenty more waiting to be explored.
And we're going to visit them.
One by one.
Come and Explore Bute
Whether you're planning a day trip to Bute, a Scottish island holiday or you're lucky enough to call the island home, take some time to explore Rothesay.
Visit the castle.
Walk along the bay.
Look at the Pavilion.
Discover the Winter Gardens.
Pop into Bute Museum.
Find the little details.
And then head out and discover the rest of the island.
We'll be doing exactly the same.
Welcome to Rothesay.
Welcome to Bute.
Let's go exploring. ❤️
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