Isle of Bute 30 August

I had got quite attached to my wonderful room in Motel One and the friendly staff, but it was time to go out on my own to the Island of Bute. 
After a very pretty train trip I arrived at Wemyss bay, pronounced Weems.

The ferry only takes 35 minutesand there's no shortage of seats on a cool August day! 
How I love this gaellic language, pronounced like garlic in Scotland and gaellic in Ireland apparently. 
how lucky I was that the sun decided to reappear en route to Bute!
What a wonderfully calm arrival into Rothesay we had.
I only had a small backpack with me for one night, so could go straight on to the Hop on off bus. Harry the driver was truly hilarious. What a pity he didn't have a bigger audience than three. We really appreciated his humour..  Apprently, there were military bases and submarines during the war. They also carried out bouncing bomb tests . Of course, Harry made this sound very funny, and unfortunate for those in the submarine. 
As for the number of confusing signposts , he really enjoyed himself with these..
Bute used to be a thriving milk producer, with  over 80 dairy farms. Now only a few remain. Many   of the pretty little farm houses are now in ruins
Unlike the extravagant Mount Stuart Homestead.created by the 3rd Duchess of Bute in the 19 th century. 
Although I had been told about how magnificent this building is, I was still completely unprepared for the display of wealth, the tons of Italian marble, the massive tapestries and the priceless paintings.
The marble chapel, still used for weddings, just leaves you gasping in wonder. 

The duchess's sitting room, with its own conservatory, could house an entire family. Interestingly, it was used as a hospital in the war, with operations talking place in the conservatory because it was so light.
The dining room also takes your breath away. 
However, I did feel it was wrong that there could be such wealth when so many others suffered. 
as with other castles and homes, I found myself seeking out a quiet spot, away from all that glamour. A picnic on the beach was perfect. Simple pleasures.
Sandy beaches one end and sandstone at the other end. Many buildings are built of Sandstone here.
There were kilometres of wonderful walkways, through forests,
And NZ ferns. 
Fern mania!
Probably one of my favourite places was the little ticket office surrounded  by blue hydrangeas. 
Back in Bute I checked into my fabulous B and B, overlooking the water, and visited the town and Castle Rothesay.
At first I thought this heron was a statue. It stood motionless for so long
Then it took up its hunting position, and after what seemed like hours, he dived in and  came out with a fish. 
What a perfect day it had been, and to top it off, there was a beautiful sunset. 
My first sunset for quite some time.
Next morning it was ime to leave this lovely island.
Maybe this was the same heron stalking me! 
Time to go north into the western Highlands.
What a pretty place Wemyss Bay station is. So clean, light and airy. So quiet. Such a pleasant place to pass through on the way to Glasgow.



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