West Island Way: How to + Things to do in Bute

West Island Way Hike | Isle of Bute Scotland

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After the success of trekking the 96 miles of the West Highland Way in Scotland (ok, there was that one blip) we (Gemma and friends, Gordon and Laura) decided to embrace the long May Day weekend and head to the striking west coast island of Bute to tackle the supposed 25 mile/40km (whoever wrote the guidebook could not count, add another 8km!) West Island Way. Passing roaring waves, friendly seals, unsuspecting cows and very few fellow ramblers, we enjoyed glorious dry weather for the most part of this Scottish hike, as well as a few too many vodkas in the capital, Rothesay, on the Saturday night! Here’s our guide for walking the West Island Way in two days (very doable), how to get there, the costs, and things to do in Bute along the way. Buteful!

West Island Way Walking Route

As we wanted to complete the West Island Way over two days, we decided to stray off the suggested route slightly, finishing day one back in Rothesay and spending the Saturday night in Bute’s capital. We then started day two at the top of Rothesay where we finished on day one.

Day 1: Kilchattan Bay – Rothesay

  • Approximately – 26km/16 miles + 35,603 steps (using phones for data)
  • Time – 7.5 hours (lunch + 2 snack/scenery stops)
  • Terrain: Coastal path, farmlands, one hill (optional)
  • Accommodation: the Boat House B&B, Rothesay
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Stage 1: Kilchattan Bay Circular Walk

(3 hours with lunch and snack/scenery stops | 8km/5m)

The south of the Isle of Bute is by far the most scenic stage of the West Island Way; it takes you along the coast, past Little Crumbia, Rubh’an Eun Lighthouse and on a good day, views of Arran in the distance. There is also a ruin which doubles up as a snack stop, though you need to take your own!

Signposts West Island Way | Isle of ButeWest Island Way Signpost

A. Take the bus from Rothesay to Kilchattan Bay (for times see here or send them an email – very speedy response). If you are as lucky as us your driver will be Paul who doubles up as a tour guide for the journey (£2.90 single adult)! The bus stop is at Rothesay Guildford Square which is in front of the ferry terminal (heading towards the direction of the Boat House B&B).

B. From here you will see a map of the West Island Way along with various other walks and a signpost highlighting the start of the West Island Way. Walk towards the water with the road to your back, passing through one of many gates. From here follow the path along the coast and past a shelter-like cave (take note for if it’s raining and you decide to wait on the bus back!).

On the left you will see Little Cumbrae during this stage of the trek as well as the picturesque Rubh’an Eun Lighthouse. The West Island Way continues to the right (follow the designated wooden signposts with the white stripe) to GlenCallum Bay.

Rubhan Eun Lighthouse Isle of Bute West Island Way-9

Rubh’an Eun Lighthouse

C. This is where we made a slight wrong move. We headed straight across the beach to the very far left-hand corner of the coast, it will quickly become apparent that there is nowhere for you go without some scrambling which you do not have to do on this easy walk. Merge to the right after the Bay up a slight hill, moving away from the shore (and not to it like us).

The path will take you to the left and through a narrow pass which blocks out the wind (a strange feeling). We took a path to the right, slightly off course to avoid the families of cows. Beware, this area can be muddy.

GlenCallum Bay West Island Way Isle of Bute
GlenCallum Bay

D. Follow the signs for St Blane’s Chapel to the left, if you have followed our path to avoid the cows you will want to veer back to the correct path so you do not miss the ruins of St Blane’s of Kingarth (a historic village). We stopped for a ten-minute break here.

St Blains West Island Way | Isle of Bute

E. Head to the far left corner of the field, we ducked under a fence at the end of this short stretch (St Blane’s should be behind you to the left if you are facing the fence), then walk straight ahead.

F. Hike down the farmlands with the Suidhe Chatain hill in front of you. It is well worth storing a bit of energy to get you up Suidhe Chatain for rewarding 360 views of the Isle of Bute. The other two opted for sitting and waiting on me at the bottom of the hill, can’t believe they missed the photo op!

Head back down the hill, take a sharp left after the homemade step then left again joining the non-hillwalkers route (or alternatively do not climb Suidhe Chatain, take a right before the ascent, through a gate and walk downhill with the hill on your left).

You will walk towards some houses, taking the exit into the woods on your left and then past more houses and through a lane to Kilchattan Bay. If you would prefer to continue walking, follow the WIW signposts behind the lane of houses which continue through the wooded area.

Suidhe Chatain West Island Way | Isle of Bute

Views from Suidhe Chatain West Island Way | Isle of Bute
Worth the hike: views from Suidhe Chatain

Kilchattan Bay

This is where we stopped to eat our packed lunches. There is an area with benches and a free toilet signposted by international flags. There is a small shop in Kilchattan Bay which sells soup, sandwiches and drinks. This is to the right of the picnic area by the water if facing the houses. The Kilchattan Bay Circular is one of the shorter standalone Isle of Bute walks as there is the option of getting the public bus back to Rothesay, or to continue on with the West Island Way.

Stage 2: Kilchattan Bay – Rothesay

A. Facing the houses with the picnic area/water to your back head right walking past the houses, the small shop and towards the Post Office. Just before the last house turn left, there is a WIW signpost tucked up this path. You will rejoin the wooded area path and if you are lucky will come across a tree swing (did you see Gordon on our Instagram Stories?

I was too short to jump on the stick seat!) At the end of the woods walk across the road into the fields via the kissing gate following the path along the fence and through the farm passing a bright orange windsock towards Bute Golf Course.

B. Watch out for any balls flying at your face (Clueless reference for 90s kids) as you walk straight through Bute Golf Course towards Stravanan Bay, one of the many beaches on Bute, taking a right. Here you will see views of the Isle of Arran (is that Arran? Yes!) The beach stage ends when you see a farm (and a car stuck in some sand, they’ll probably still be there trying to dig themselves out), take the right (there was no bridge as indicated in our West Island Way guide) walking past the farmhouse and onto the road.

Turn right and walk along the road, aiming to take a left after a dip in the road.

C. This right turn could easily be missed so pay attention for the WIW signpost. This path continues through trees and farmland then uphill. Here there are spectacular views of Bute and beyond and also a bench for a rest. This stage of the West Island Way is very open so will be brutal in a downpour. We got lucky!

West Island Way | Isle of Bute
Walking Scotland in style

D. The path continues through farmlands, eventually taking you down with Rothesay in the distance on your right and a farmhouse on your left. You want to take the left, walking diagonally across the farm, towards the farmhouse which you walk through (sorry owners!) coming out at Loch Fad. We were fading at this stage so blasted the 90s tunes through the JPL Clip portable speaker to raise the spirits.

Loch Fad West Island Way | Isle of Bute
Loch Fad

E. Following the path to the right through the trees and farms you will come to the outskirts of the town of Rothesay where we end day one of the West Island Way. Head down Barone Road (mentally noting number 99, this is where you kick off the walk tomorrow) to the centre of town.

Day 2: Rothesay – Rhubodach/Port Bannatyne

  • Approximately – 24km/15 miles + 33,193 steps (using phones for data)
  • Time – 5.5 hours (lunch stop 20 mins)
  • Terrain: Designated paths by a road, farmlands (mostly farmlands)

A. Make your way back to 99 Barone Road (there a West Island Way signpost across the road pointing towards the lane next to 99) and walk along the path. Today is mostly farmlands and will be very muddy if raining. Walk across the field, diagonally, all the way to the end (farmhouse) and walk through the gates then into another greenery area that goes downhill. Take a left when you are facing the old school building, keeping right before you get to Westland Farm.

B. Go through the gate and take a sharp left and go through more gates then left again. Our West Island Way guide indicates that a forest of pine trees is on your right, however, this is no longer the case, do ignore that path coming in from the right though. Walk down the hill until you approach a minor road.

Here you can end the walk at Port Bannatyne (if making this your destination on day one, or if you decide that you had too many drinks at the Scottish Honky Tonk the night before!) Up to here takes around 35 minutes.

Kames Bay West Island Way | Isle of Bute

C. With the water and boats at Kames Bay on your right (in the distance through a fence) walk along the path into the wooded area. 

D. Here is where it gets a little confusing. The West Island Way (and other Bute walks) paths look like they’ve had a little love. From the end of the woodland area path take a left (the WIW signpost pointing to Ettrick Bay is hidden) and join the designated walking path called the ‘Tramway’. You will pass the derelict St Colmac’s Church on your right and the Kyle of Bute will be in front in the distance. This stage takes around 30 minutes

E. Before Ettrick Bay, there is a signpost for the WIW which points inland across a road and to a single track surrounded by farmlands. Take this turning – be warned, this is where it gets monotonous. If you are not feeling it/it is raining I would strongly recommend not carrying on as the remainder of the West Island Way consists of walking through farmlands until you reach Rhubodach (Gordon wishes we had never turned right…)

F. OK so you have decided to carry on, the weather must be nice, walk past Lower Ettrick Livery Farm on your left and passed Upper Ettrick Farm following the straight path until it becomes faint (30 min). Keep Glenmore Farm on your right, go through the gate and keep walking through the farms. Parts of this stretch are muddy, even with two days of dry weather.

G. Cross a small stream/trickle of water and head up the hill, you will see signposts in the distance.

H. Head up the hill following the two WIW signposts which end at a fence (not a gate as indicated by our guide) climb over into the wooded area for a change of scenery (praise be!) Glenmore Farm (stage F) to here takes around two hours with a 15-minute lunch.

I. Continue through the woodland path, passing a lookout on your right, ignoring the walk for Sight Hill (no, not the Glasgow one), until you head downhill to a West Island Way signpost indicating left for Rhubodach or right for Port Bannatyne (our printed guide suggests that this path to the port is not great).

J. Walk downhill towards the beautiful port of Rhubodach then on to Port Bannatyne (the official end to the West Island Way) if you so wish. We called a taxi to take us back to Rothesay so we could make the tea time ferry back to Glasgow (£20)

You may also like – North Coast 500, Scotland’s most scenic drive

West Island Way Map

Unfortunately, there was little in the way of WIW maps online that were clear to the untrained eye (see here). Our hosts recommended popping into the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre (Visit Scotland Information Centre) close to the Rothesay ferry terminal, however, it was closed by the time we had docked.

The West Island Way is very well signposted and with this guide (copy and paste to your notes or email or Google docs to avoid losing phone signal) I’m confident you will be ready to loch and load!

West Island Way Packing Guide

Like many long-distance walks in Scotland, one of the hardest things about the trek is packing for rain, wind, and shine! Here’s a quick guide on what to packing for the West Island Way (and other Scottish hikes). From the feet up…

  • Well worn walking boots (vital)
  • Walking socks x2 Laura recommends Dexshell waterproof socks
  • Tape (I use Leukotape, it does not budge!) for blister prevention
  • Vaseline/ petroleum jelly for feet lubrication
  • Walking trousers x1
  • Underwear (pants/knickers/boxers) x2 or 3
  • Merino wool (or breathable) top x1 (or 2 personal preference)
  • Downer coat + rain jacket (Gordon and I both wore North Face)
  • Gloves (I did not need these and I’m usually very cold)
  • Hat (Laura confirms day 2 was better with a hat)
  • Sunglasses

Daypack/ Day Bag

  • Clean socks
  • Snacks
  • Lunch (nowhere to buy food on day two)
  • Water in a fillable bottle
  • Camera
  • First Aid Kit
  • Phones
  • Anker phone battery pack US / UK
  • Plastic zip food bag for phone if raining and you want to keep it in pocket
  • This printed guide
  • Sunglasses (never sacrifice style for summits!)
  • Money
  • Waterproof trousers
  • Suntan lotion
    West Island Way | Isle of Bute Scottish Walks

Night Gear

Rothesay is a small town with quite a few pubs and restaurants. You can dress up or down, there’s an eclectic mix of patrons.

  • Leggings
  • Tops x 2
  • Cardigan
  • Flipflops (Laura wore Doc Martens, Gordon had trainers, I like to give my feet a rest!)

Things to do in Bute

  • The first thing people mention when you say you are going to the Isle of Bute is – are you going to Mount Stuart House. This 19th-century mansion boasts of gardens and art exhibitions. Private tours are available. Entry fees range from £6.50 – £11.5
  • There are many smaller walks on the Isle of Bute ranging from 2.5 to 6 miles 
  • Canada Hill viewpoint is a short Rothesay walk which offers lovely views to the Firth of the Clyde
  • Eat! There are lots of nice places to eat in Bute. We had a sit-down chippy at the West End Cafe (£23 for 3 meals  +soft drink) and fish at Harry Haw’s (£47 for 3 + drinks)
  • Party! As soon as we heard that there was a Scottish Honky Tonk that played live music we booked a taxi (£6) there, drank the monster cocktail (£20) then taxied back to join the rest of the island in a sing-song at the Palace Bar. Just a few of the pubs in Rothesay

I cannot stress how close the Isle of Bute is from the city which makes it a perfect Glasgow day trip if you would like to mix a bit of city culture with the west coast of Scotland’s outdoors and nature.

Where we stayed on Bute

There are over thirty Rothesay hotels and guest houses which vary in quality, price and services offered. We stayed with Sara and Paul (excellent communication and very friendly hosts) at the Boat House B&B which is a feast for the eyes as well as the belly! Each of the Boat House’s five super suites has sea-views and an extensive continental breakfast selection of cereals, muesli, bread, butter, jam, marmalade, orange juice, teas, coffee and milk.

Boat House Bute | Isle of Bute

Another bonus of the Boat House is that it is a 5 minute (if that) walk from the ferry. This is how close this Isle of Bute accommodation is to the port. The Boat House, Bute also has a one-bedroom self-catering flat named ‘The Nook’ for those looking to cook in (there are decent restaurants on the Isle of Bute for those who don’t).

Our super modern Mega Suite was made up of two bedrooms, a kitchen (miss eating breakfast while watching the local dog walkers and ferries go by already), a living room with TV, and a very plush bathroom kitted out with a bath (yes, I used this after day one of the hike, would have been rude not to!)

Although the Boat House has five rooms it is secured by a telecom at the front door, key access to each apartment and the owners live on site. Oh, and our suite had adjustable heating which is important for when the adrenaline drops after the day one West Island Way hike (nothing some heat, a bath, and a glass of fizz won’t solve).

Boathouse Supersuites Rothesay | Isle of Bute

How to get to the Isle of Bute

One of the most attractive features of the West Island Way walk is how accessible this Scottish hike is. Unlike many of the treks up north and in the Highlands (for example, Isle of Skye walks) you do not need to have a car. You don’t even have to join a walking group or tour as the public transport system is so well connected (this really is not the case everywhere in Scotland, ‘Sunday service’ is a way of life for many bus routes!)

Glasgow to Wemyss Bay (‘Weems’)

There is a train link between Glasgow Central station in Scotland’s largest (and best in my opinion) city and Wemyss Bay which takes less than one hour. If you are coming from Edinburgh (Scotland’s capital) there is a train link between the two cities (and don’t forget to check out my advice on things to do in Edinburgh).

From Wemyss Bay, you take the Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd Island of Bute ferry which is very comfortable with indoor and outdoor seating for those who want to see Bute before they dock (or wave goodbye to Wemyss Bay). There’s even a section for dogs (move away from the puppies Gordon).

The ferry ride takes 35 minutes. You can purchase a ticket which takes you from Glasgow Central (by train) to Rothesay (by ferry) for £19 return. For times check out the Trainline website (from Glasgow Central to Rothesay). Wemyss Bay ferry parking is available but it is limited to 100 spaces and there is a charge (you can find free parking in the town if you are happy to walk a short distance) or you can take your car on the ferry at an additional cost.

The Gourock to Rothesay ferry still requires passengers to take the train to Wemyss Bay (the journey takes over one hour).

So now you know how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, where to party, and how to walk the walk – what’s stopping you? The Isle of Bute is close to Glasgow there really is no excuse not to visit this coastal haven of beaches, boats, and banterful bus drivers. Oh good news readers, there’s now a West Island Way website!

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West Island Way | Hiking in Scotland

Have you been to Bute?

Ask us any questions in the comments below.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to the Boat House B&B for hosting us (an honest review as always, check TripAdvisor to compare) and Walk Highlands for their guide which we’ve updated in this West Island Way review.

 

8 thoughts on “West Island Way: How to + Things to do in Bute

  1. Karolina says:

    Great post! We visited Island of Bute last year, it was stunning road trip. If you have a chance you should go to Islad of Sky too. It’s even more beautiful.

  2. Don Williams says:

    Great blog and glad you enjoyed the WIW.

    Even since you were over Gemma the Bute Conservation Trust team have been out populating as many of the new way markers with logos and arrows to further improve the walkers experience on the WIW. We have a fledgling website at WestIslandway.co.uk which you would be most welcome to add your blog or thoughts.

    We are continuing to improve the experience for walkers and welcome all comments. A very good one being access to maps after the TIC shuts.

  3. Susanne @AdventuresAroundscotland says:

    Great blog with lots of useful info and hopefully it will convince more people to pop over and try it out for themselves 🙂
    Glad you enjoyed the West Island Way and the weather was kind. There are still plenty more shorter walks to do on the island and I’m planning to write about my favourites soon so you might even be tempted back!

  4. Nitin Khanna says:

    Love Mountains & Great Pictures! Awesome Information shared by you. Love to be spent time at West Island Way.

    Thanks!

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