AnElephantCant always be clever
Sometimes he can’t even be cute
This is more travelogue
Than his usual daft blog
He wants to tell of his trip down to Bute
It lies just off the west coast of Scotland
Like a jewel in the great Firth of Clyde
An arm of the Atlantic
If AnElephant were romantic
This is the island he would choose for his bride
Bute is Beautiful. So runs the advertising slogan. And it’s true. The island is about 15 miles long and between 3 and 5 miles wide and reflects Scotland in microcosm, being pretty much bisected by the Highland Boundary Fault.
This line runs across Scotland from the Isle of Arran in the South-West to Stonehaven in the North-East, separating two distinctly different geological terrains into the Highlands and the Lowlands.
The line runs through Rothesay, the only town on the island, via Loch Fad and Loch Quien to ScalpsieBay in the West. As with the country, to the north of this divide the island is wild and inhospitable, to the south more undulating and green.
The views are spectacular – to the south and east can be seen the rolling hills of Ayrshire (the lowlands), while to the west are the more spectacular vistas of Kintyre and Arran (Highlands), capped by the mountain range known as The Sleeping Warrior.
Canada Hill sits high above the town, and is accessed by a squiggly road called The Serpentine. Rothesay Golf Course is situated on top, and from here even a small Elephant can see in all directions.
Silly game, great location!
Rothesay is a great little town, with a pier for the CalMac ferry and, sometimes, the PS Waverley to drop by.
It has a busy marina, sailing is big sport in these waters.
It has a wonderful prom, prom, prom, which runs for miles.
It has putting and crazy golf for the kids.
It has lots of ice cream shops!!!! – AnElephantCant resist real Scottish/Italian ice cream.
And it has a castle!
This dates back to the early 13th Century and it is circular with four round towers and a moat!
Ok, it is a boy’s thing, but it is great – ruined now but just great!
And, best of all, Hughie Durrant, a great guy and dear friend of the Elephant, works there as a stonemason.
Part 2 will follow in a day or three and will take us on a tour of the island.
We will meet the Wild Sea Water Haggis in its natural habitat!
See these amazing pictures only on AnElephantCant!
anelephantcant 
haha..no, it’s a Lady thing too…love me some castles. And I know, that was hideous grammar. 🙂 I loved the poem and the little journey you took us all on. Thank you so much Brian 🙂
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Seems to me that the Elephant is a Romantic! Love this poem and all the eclectic info about Bute. Thank you 🙂
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I want a room with a view. But I guess all rooms will have a view on Bute.
Just beautiful! Looking forward to the next install.
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I wish I could be there and experience this for real. It looks quite lovely. Did you know I found out today that the word ‘ok’ has a scottish origin? Your ok in my world, love the poem as always. 🙂
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