One of the best things about living in Glasgow is the ease of access we have to not only the glorious Highlands and breathtaking scenery at places like Loch Lomond, but also to the beautiful islands off the west coast.
And one that has always been a favourite for those going 'Doon the Watter', has just been named in a list of the world's top under-the-radar islands.
One of the most loved and best-known of the Firth of Clyde islands, Bute – alongside the smaller home of Millport, the Isle of Cumbrae - has been a favourite for Glaswegian day trippers for generations.
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With a music festival, beaches aplenty and even a distillery complete with an outdoor 'gin garden', there's more to do than just cycling around the island.
Easily accessible by ferry from Wemyss Bay, taking just over half an hour to cross to Rothesay, it is waiting to be rediscovered and with the island set to get its own new purpose-built food and drink market, there is even more excuse to head over.
Bute Yard is a new contemporary space in Bute’s main town, Rothesay (High Street), which will be opened by Jenni Minto, MSP for Argyll and Bute on Sunday, June 4.
The venue will include a distillery operated by the award-winning Isle of Bute Distillery, a taproom run by Bute Brew Co, a pop-up café and a flexible event space which will be open for business year-round.
Glass doors on the main building open out into a dynamic outside courtyard, which will host monthly markets and diverse events. The historic Isle of Bute Smokehouse will also have a permanent base at Bute Yard.
What’s the lineup for the first Bute Yard market on June 4?
The market, open from 9 am to 5 pm on the first Sunday of every month, is free to attend and dog friendly, and visitors can expect the best local food, small-batch drinks, art, crafts and live music.
Market traders will rotate throughout the year but will include the producers based permanently at Bute Yard. This includes Isle of Bute Smokehouse, which dates back to 1888 and has a range of award-winning smoked salmon, trout and kippers and Isle of Bute Distillery will have its full range of gin and rum available to take away or enjoy in the outdoor garden on the day.
Bute Brew Co, known for its craft lager, fruity pale ales and IPA, will brew on-site and run a new taproom inside Bute Yard.
During summer, the bar will open from 12 pm daily. On market Sundays, the bar will open from 10 am to 9 pm.
The Kings of Ceilidh will perform a set on the day, supported by the Bute Community Band. Apart from the in-house food and drink producers, visitors will be able to browse top local stands including Macqueens of Rothesay, Isle of Bute Cheeses, Isle of Bute Coffee, Northern Lights Cakery and Braw Liquor Club.
The local art scene will be well represented by artists from Isle of Bute Artists’ Collective, which hosts the upcoming annual Bute Studio Trail in July.
Local Rothesay Academy students will be selling flowers and produce grown by them in the school garden and community initiatives ButeKitchen, Bute Produce, Incredible Edible, ReStyle and Calum’s Cabin will be present among others to showcase local community projects. Gourmet BBQ street food will be served by Spitting Pig Cheshire, with a cash bar available in-house.
A unique contemporary space
Bute Yard will provide a platform to showcase the best taste and talent the island has to offer from local food and drink, in partnership with ButeKitchen, as well as local art and craft, in partnership with the Isle of Bute Artists’ Collective . It will also provide new retail and production space.
A blank space open to multiple interpretations, the focus will be on creating inspiring and memorable experiences as people visit and use the venue.
The Bute Yard Tap Room
The bar at Bute Yard will be open regularly with summer opening hours (1st April to 30 September) as follows:
12 pm to 5 pm on Mondays, 12 pm to 6 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 12 pm to 9 pm on Thursdays and Sundays; and 12 pm to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Director of Bute Yard and Isle of Bute Smokehouse, Cathleen Crichton-Stuart, said: “Over the last few years, Bute has experienced an exciting revival in food and drink, thanks to local producers like Isle of Bute Distillery and groups like Bute Kitchen. Bute Yard will play a major role in providing a space that taps into our heritage as well as our future as a successful food destination.
"The versatile space we’ve created at Bute Yard is truly inspiring and will form a unique and stimulating backdrop for a variety of events and memorable experiences."
Co-Founder of Isle of Bute Distillery, Rhona Madigan-Wheatley, said: “We are delighted to be moving into Bute Yard. It’s been a three-year journey to arrive at this point since we first met with the late Johnny Bute to discuss and create a new venue of this kind.
"Bute Yard is now the permanent home of Isle of Bute Distillery and Bute Brew Co and we are excited to see the catalyst effect this venue will have on other small businesses on the island.
"For us, Bute Yard has created the platform that allowed us to revive Bute Brew Co after it closed in 2018. It’s the first success story of Bute Yard and we’re excited by what the future of the venue has in store.”
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