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                                    For satellite image and road map of the Isle of Bute  with exact location of

                                    THE PORT ROYAL HOTEL please visit :  Isle Of Bute, PA20, UK - Google Maps

There are two ferry routes onto The Isle of Bute.  From Wemyss Bay (pronounced "weems") on the A78, the coast road between Greenock and Largs, there are two new luxury ferries sailing over to Rothesay, taking 35 minutes on the crossing. At the north-east corner of Bute, there is a shuttle ferry over to Colintraive on the Argyll mainland, where the road leads to other Argyll islands and the highlands. Journey time is about 10 minutes.  This means that The Isle of Bute is an ideal path, a stepping-stone, from Glasgow into Western Scotland.

From Glasgow Prestwick Airport there is the FASTBUS 585 twice an hour direct to the ferry, and from Glasow International Airport there is a regular shuttle minibus to Paisley Gilmour Street Station with an hourly train service direct to Wemyss Bay.  Largs is also connected by train to Glasgow Prestwick Airport with a change at Kilwinning. There are regular local buses between Largs and Wemyss Bay.  The City of Glasgow itself has an hourly train from Glasgow Central Station to the Wemyss Bay ferry.

So, all in all, Bute is very well connected by public transport, and those flying to Scotland should not feel a hire-car is a necessity. Provided you are armed with a watch and timetables, it is easily possible to see most of Western Scotland by bus, ferry and pleasant walking. On the Isle of Bute itself, it's possible to hire a bike, use the tour bus, or the regular service buses that run the east-coast road. Many visitors hike the West Island Way, a scenic trail along the spine of the island, south to north. Taxis are plentiful; the cost from Rothesay Ferry Terminal to The Port Royal Hotel at Port Bannatyne is five pounds, which is about the same as four adults using the bus.      

The ferry from Wemyss Bay sails every 45 minutes starting at 07.15 a.m. weekdays, 08.00 a.m. on Saturdays and 08.45 a.m. on Sundays. At peak times, (around teatime on Fridays, and Saturday mornings,) it may be better to book in advance if you are bring a car to the island, particularly in late July, August or September. That said, there is a comfortable Italian cafe across the road from the ferry terminal, ideal to wait for the next ferry if you find your ship is full. It is possibly better to buy your ticket on arrival in case you change your plans or are delayed. A full list of Caledonian MacBrayne ferry routes, prices, and discounts for visiting several islands, may be seen by visiting http://www.calmac.co.uk