Travel Note
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST FILL THIS OUT BEFORE ENTERING THE UK
Travel Note
The Isle of Bute is accessible by ferry only, with two car ferry routes: one from Colintraive to the north of the island and the other from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, the island’s main town. The Wemyss Bay ferry is the primary route, and tickets cannot be booked in advance. To catch the ferry, head to the terminal in Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde, Scotland, located on the main road to the left of the train station. Upon arrival, cars queue in the tarmac parking area, starting from line 3. Those with mobility difficulties should park in lines 1 or 2 for easier access to the ferry's lift. The ferry is easy to use, with staff assistance available. Simply drive on, park behind the car in front, and upon arrival, the opposite doors open, allowing you to drive off. If you arrive just before departure, the ferry may wait while you purchase a ticket from the portacabin near the car park or the ticket office inside the train station. Car loading occurs 10 minutes before departure, and the crossing takes 35 minutes. Ferries run roughly every hour, with the busiest times in the summer. Tickets must be purchased before boarding: £6.70 for a return ticket per passenger and £24.10 for a return car ticket. The ferry runs from 7:15 am to 8 pm. Onboard amenities include toilets, snacks, and drinks. Nearby, you'll find a small roadside Co-Op, a Seaview Café, a fish and chip shop (cash only), and a little café and bar inside the station. The journey to St Blane's House from the Rothesay terminal takes about 20 minutes. For ferry times and further information, visit www.calmac.co.uk or call 08000 665 000.
Train
Glasgow is well worth a visit, the architecture is beautiful and the shopping is good. Glasgow is a very friendly city. There is a direct train service from Central Station, Glasgow to Wemyss Bay. There is a Left Luggage facility at the train station. There are open top, red, double decker sightseeing buses tours from St George's Square. If you decide to visit Glasgow from the Isle of Bute while on holiday, you can buy a cheaper ticket if you buy your passenger ferry and train ticket combined from the ferry terminal in Rothesay. 'Rail and Sail' approx £15 return (Adult) Rothesay to Glasgow. 50 minute train journey from Wemyss Bay to Glasgow. DIRECTIONS FROM GLASGOW AIRPORT Most of the major car hire companies operate from Glasgow Airport. There is a regular shuttle bus to Paisley train station from the airport then catch the train from Paisley Gilmour Street Station to Wemyss Bay. The ferry is at the train station. The times are linked to coincide. A taxi from the airport to the ferry is approx £50. An alternative transport option is a personal pick up by https://scottishterriertours.co.uk/ has various sized transport for 2x 8x or 16x. He will pick you up at the airport, talk about the sights on the way and bring you over on the ferry and to the door of St Blane's House. Not expensive if there is a group of you. (He also offers specialized tours of Scotland, see website). Good fun and a very Scottish start to your holiday. Isle of Bute Taxi. 01700 504499. There is always a Taxis in the rank, on the main road just outside the ferry terminal, approx £23 to St Blane's House. A bus service always links with the ferry. Buses run regularly to Kilchattan Bay. They are timed to meet every ferry and the bus stop is on the main road just outside the ferry terminal. Stay on the same side of the road as the ferry terminal. There is a bus stop opposite St Blane's House, the drivers are very helpful and will tell you when you are there. Approx £5.50 return.
Travel Note
BUS SERVICE A bus always links with the ferry. Buses run regularly to Kilchattan Bay. They are timed to meet every ferry and the bus stop is on the main road just outside the ferry terminal. Stay on the same side of the road as the ferry terminal. There is a bus stop opposite St Blane's House, the drivers are very helpful and will tell you when you are there.Approx £5.50 return. BY CAR Leave the ferry and turn left at the traffic lights. Follow the coast road for approx six miles. At a tiny hamlet of Tudor houses called Kerrycroy the road leaves the coast and swings inland. Continue on the same road, it goes past the entrance to Mount Stuart House. Follow the road through a wooded area, don't turn left at the junction, don't turn off the road until you see a junction with the Kingarth Hotel on the corner. Turn left here towards Kilchattan Bay and the sea for 1 mile, ( not sharp left up the small road to the farms). In Kilchattan Bay, St Blane's House is the only large white house and is easy to find, it is just after the old pier in the centre of the village. Plenty of parking in front of the house.