North Bute

Friday, midday

Check into Victoria Hotel (doubles from £80, victoriahotelbute.com), an old dame overlooking Rothesay’s Victorian-era promenade and gardens.

12:30pm

Harry Haw’s serve burgers with a view of Rothesay Castle. The chef smokes his own cheese so try pizza

flavoured with smoked mozzarella.

2pm

Pop into the Discovery Centre with an exhibition on ‘doon the watter’

tourism and a wee cinema.

3pm

Bash up the Kyles of Bute on Bute Boat Tours’ new RIB. You’ll see why Richard Attenborough deemed it so cinematic he bought the Rhubodach

Estate.

5pm

Take a waterfront promenade

drifting back to the days when tourist steamers battled each other with a swirl of thumping paddles down the Clyde.

7pm

Tuck into Rothesay Bay langoustines

and west coast scallops at The Bonnie Clyde.

Saturday, 10am

Take a guided bus tour of Bute – if you’re lucky you’ll be sunbathing with

views towards Arran en route.

11am

Make a request stop at the red phonebox where an honesty box system operates with a bit of the work of local artist Ruth Slater – and tablet.

Midday

The Caribbean comes to Rothesay at new Ambience. The spicy, fruity chicken curry stars alongside coffee from Bob Marley’s son.

1:30pm

Head north to Ettrick Bay and enjoy the mile-long sands. They do a mean milkshake in the old-school tearoom.

4pm

Hit the local drinks trail at hipster hideaway Spirit of Bute, a Tardis where the mercurial Keith Mcintyre works his magic in front of you.

5pm

Savour the local small batch Isle of Bute gin at the new Gin Garden, with its lamps and cocktails.

7pm

Tuck into Bute beef steak pie at Rothesay’s old-world Kettledrum.

Sunday, 9am

Join the section of the West Island Way from Rothesay in search of Port Bannatyne.

Robin Mckelvie

Calmac (calmac.co.uk) run ferries to Bute from Wemyss Bay and Colintraive. See visitbute.com