Straddling the highland edge, the lush Isle of Bute is a memorable place of stunning contrasts. Moorlands meet sandy bays while heather covered hills slope down to flat farmland. The island, only 5 miles wide and 20 miles long, has many attractions both made by man and nature. Take a stroll along the colourful esplanade gardens of Rothesay, the island capital, where you can't fail to notice the unusual circular glass structure of the 1920s Winter Garden, contrasting with the grand Victorian architecture of the seafront. Much older is 13th century Rothesay Castle, a royal fortress whose rounded battlements have stood the test of time and conflict. Visit Bute Museum to learn about the fascinating history and geology of the island.
  Follow the coast beyond delightful Ascog Bay where you will discover a spectacular collection of feather leafed greenery at the Victorian Fern House & Gardens. Continuing onwards you can marvel at the High Gothic grandeur of Mount Stuart House and Gardens the magnificent ancestral home of the Marquess of Bute. A little inland are the central lochs of Bute with their excellent trout stocks and surrounding forests. To the west lie sheltered bays, a great place for spotting seals, while the northern hills with their panoramic views of the picture postcard Kyles of Bute are popular with walkers and nature lovers, as is the rest of the island.