St Blanes House is the perfect base to explore and gain an authentic experience of life on a Scottish Island. From breathtaking scenery to a range of fun activities, the Isle of Bute is a wonderful location to take a break from everyday life.

 

For the Sunny days…..

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

Located in the intimate Kilchattan Bay, where St Blanes House is nestled, kayaks and paddleboards can be hired to explore the safe and stunning bay.  

For more information regarding pricing and booking, please visit: https://www.kilchattanbaykayaking.co.uk/

Bute Boat tours

Bute Boat Tours provide boat trips around Bute, Argyll, and the Firth of Clyde on their high-performance RIB, Commando One. The tours provide a unique perspective of the Isle of Bute’s beauty and presents an opportunity to see Bute’s bewildering array of wildlife including basking sharks, dolphins, porpoise, sea otters, ospreys, sea eagles, seals, and countless bird species.

For more information and pricing, please visit: https://www.buteboattours.co.uk/

Golf

A mere 2 miles from St Blanes House, guests can find the Bute Golf Club. Players can enjoy the splendour of seaside golf in a spectacular setting with the dramatic backdrop of the Isle of Arran.

For more information and pricing, please visit: https://www.butegolfclub.com

There are also two more beautiful Golf courses located on the island, which present scenic views over the islands landscape. Between a 15 minute to a 25 minute drive around the island from St Blanes House, both are welcoming to golfers of any level.

For more information and pricing, please visit: https://www.rothesaygolfclub.co.uk/ http://portbannatynegolfclub.co.uk/

Walking on the Isle of Bute

For the walkers amongst the group, St Blanes house is the perfect base to enjoy walking, from hill walking through to scenic coastal paths.

Coastal and beach walks

There are several stunning coastal and beach walks around the island. On these beautiful walks there is the opportunity to see the Island’s stunning wildlife, from seals to majestic Birds of Prey.

Hill walking

The Isle of Bute has a beautiful landscape with countryside views of rolling fields and hills, coupled with surrounding lochs and beaches. Thus, at the top of the hills it can provide one with breathtaking views over the landscape.

 West Island Way

Named after the famous Scottish West Highland Way located in the heart of Scotland, the popular West Island Way is a route that can be accessed just behind St Blanes House which provides a lovely route across the island’s hills. https://www.westislandway.co.uk/

Football Pitch Hire

Guests can hire the local football pitch for those who fancy a kick about. Pricing: £110 for two hour hire of a football pitch, located at Rothesay Leisure Centre, 96 High Street,

To book, ring 01700 504300

5K run around Mount Stuart stately home Gardens

For the runners in the group there is a lovely 5K ‘ParkRun’ run every Saturday at 9.30am round the beautiful grounds of the Mount Stuart Stately Home.

Please be aware this is a free event but you do need to register at https://www.parkrun.org.uk/mountstuart/

Fishing

Loch Fad, there is fishing for Rainbow and Brown Trout, plus Pike – 175 acres, the ‘long loch’ .It is classified by Scottish Natural Heritage as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) for its scenic beauty and its huge diversity of bird life and vegetation. The loch is surrounded by wooded hills, including one of the first commercial Douglas Fir plantations dating from the 1840’s.

See www.lochfad.co.uk for fishing details and boat hire and boat trips.

'The Bike Shed' sells angling equipment. There are some basic fishing rods at St Blane’s House for visitors to use.

Sea fishing is also possible off the rocks at the end of the shore road just past St Blane’s House and Crab fishing off the old pier in Kilchattan Bay.

Horse riding

For those looking to explore the beautiful landscape, why not try horse riding? From lessons to hacks suitable for all levels, contact Ardbrannan Riding Centre to find out more. Contact Laura MacArthur on 01700 500453 Mob: 07725842005

Ardbrannan Riding centre is located at Eastlands Road, Canada Hill, Rothesay, PA20 9EL, Isle of Bute.

Sail down the coast on the PS. Waverley paddle steamer

The big Waverley Paddle Steamer visits Rothesay Pier during the summer months and is a wonderful way to explore the stunning coastline. To book visit https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/

This is the last remaining ship of its kind and is a reminder of a previous era when Glaswegians were allowed a few days off work each year and went 'doon the watter'. There were bands onboard and lots of drinking as the boats sailed from one pier to another around the west coast. St Blane's House was built as a hotel at this time and a pier was built at Kilchattan Bay for the paddle steamers to dock.

Wild swimming

Kilchattan Bay is lovely and safe spot for wild water swimming or jumping off the old pier near the house. The bay does not experience unexpected currents. However, care must be taken in any water and young children should always have adult supervision.

Many visitors buy inflatable boats to bring with them or if you don’t have car space you could order and have it delivered to the house the week before. There are also a handful of wet suits available for guests.

Explore the local beaches

Close to St Blanes House there are several sandy beaches that feature sunny views of the loch and the Ilse of Arran. On many of the beaches, one can see seals along the shore.

Cycling

At St Blanes House we provide bikes for our guests to enjoy during their stay. There are many scenic cycle routes for all abilities. The most popular route is a full cycle around the island consisting of a 23 mile loop boasting impressive views.

Please note there is a limited number of bikes at St Blanes House, varying in size and ability. Therefore, please feel free to bring your own bikes with you as there is space in St Blanes for guests to safely store their bikes.

Furthermore, there is also Bike hire available on the island. For more information please visit: https://fynefutures.org.uk/bikebute/

 

For the rainy days…..

Mount Stuart Estate

Explore the beautiful Mount Stuart Estate which presents a magnificent house surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Take a step inside the stunning house, which was inspired by astrology, art and mythology dazzles. See a map of the stars on the ceiling of the Marble Hall. Take the spiral staircase to what is believed to be the world’s first domestic heated swimming pool. This house is filled with innovations – from an early telephone system to a Victorian passenger lift.

For more information and pricing, please visit: https://www.mountstuart.com/

Rothesay Castle and Bute Museum

Take a stroll through Rothsay castle ruins and explore what life may have looked life for the royalty that once presided. For more information, please visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/rothesay-castle

Or visit the Bute museum to gain an insight into how life was for the Scottish islanders of the past. For more information, please visit: https://www.butemuseum.org.uk/

Enjoy being cosy, tucked up inside St Blanes House

On a rainy Scottish day, enjoy being surrounded by your loved ones in St Blanes House. Please visit the Amenities page to discover the house’s facilities for your party to enjoy during your stay.