A whirlind weekend on the beautiful isle
Friday, 5:55pm Catch the train from Glasgow Central to the pretty Victorian station of Wemyss Bay, which doubles as the ferry terminal for the 7pm CalMac crossing to Rothesay.
7:45pm Check in to the Victoria Hotel on Rothesay’s promenade and dine in the restaurant which enjoys uninterrupted views of the Victorian Winter Gardens and out to sea.
Saturday, 9am With magnificent beaches and crystal clear water there’s surely no better place to learn to kayak. Thanks to Kayak Bute (www.kayakbute.co.uk) and the professional instruction of Roddy McDowell this landlubber gained the skills and confidence required to embark on the journey of a lifetime along the west coast of this beautiful island - we were even lucky enough to be joined by playful seals.
8pm The airy restaurant at Mount Stuart visitor centre gives diners the feeling of being high in the tree tops while offering a delicious menu featuring fresh local produce. (Open April-October, tel: 01700 505276)
Sunday, 10am An ideal way to get a feel for the island is to tour around it by bike. If you haven’t brought your own, head to hire shop, The Bike Shed (www.thebikeshed.org.uk).
10:30am After a bracing cycle along the coast stop in for a tour of Mount Stuart House. Built for the visionary 3rd Marquess of Bute, it remains a family home and was the venue for Stella McCartney’s wedding. It was the first home in Scotland to have electric lights, central heating, a telephone and passenger lift. A special tour allows you to visit private rooms including what is thought to be the first heated swimming pool in the world and the ethereal Burgess Chapel. (www.mountstuart.com, adult ticket for house and gardens, £11).
1pm Ride along to the Kingarth Hotel for lunch, a popular place for cyclists to refuel from another impressive menu (www.kingarthhotel.com).
2:30pm Join the West Island Way back to Rothesay and keep an eye on Loch Ascog for ospreys fishing.
4pm Board the ferry back to Wemyss Bay which connects with the 4:50pm train to Glasgow Central.
THE FACTS
CalMac combined rail and sail tickets are available from www.scotrail.co.uk/travelconnections. Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay Anytime Return ticket, £11.60.
Victoria Hotel, 55 Victoria Street, Rothesay tel: 01700 500016, www.victoriahotelbute.com
Bute cycling festival 15-16 September, www.butewheelers.org.uk; www.visitbute.com