We recommend flying into Glasgow if taking a plane.

There are direct trains from Glasgow Central to Weymss Bay, where the ferry terminal to Bute is. You are dropped of at the ferry terminal itself with a covered walkway leading you onto the ferry walkway, making trains a very easy method of getting around.

You can drive direct to Weymss Bay easily from both North and South and this would be the recommended Ferry Terminal. The crossing takes approximately 35mins. There is a second terminal further North at Collintrave but it takes much, much longer to get to. The crossing however is only 5mins if you don’t have the sea legs!

Mount Stuart is a 10 minute drive, Bus or taxi ride from the the ferry terminal on the Isle of Bute, once in Rothesay. The bus stop is at the Ferry terminal but there are several more along the coast road. The ferry stops in the middle of the town (think like Aberdeen for those who’ve been!) so almost all accommodation is walkable from the ferry if staying in Rothesay.

There a lots of ways to get to Mount Stuart, car, taxi, bus. It’s a 10-15 minute drive from the centre of Rothesay and very easily accessible. There are bus stops at the ferry terminal and along the main road, including outside The Glenburn Hotel, all taking you directly to the House. These run approximately every 30 mins

When entering the estate make your way up the main drive to the visitors centre. There is ample parking at the centre for cars, taxis, buses/coaches. From there you cross the road and head down the drive to the front entrance of the Main House. It is all well signposted.

Please be aware there are only 2 taxi’s in Rothesay. Please book ahead should you require one and consider sharing with other guests if at the same hotel. Pre booking I would say is essential. If dry the gardens of Mount Stuart are stunning and worth a walk around if you get there a little early. There is plenty to see.

October is still visitors season and Scottish school holidays will be in full swing. Bute and Rothesay are still very popular Islands to visit. We recommend you make your bookings as early as possible for accommodation. Please dress for the weather at this time of year, please remember it is likely to be cold and probably wet!! You will require a coat or jacket on the day of the wedding as if dry we will go outside for photographs. To be fair we may still go out if wet! Just come prepared is all I’m saying!!

Rothesay and Bute have several tourist attractions such as the castle, The Bute Discovery Centre, the Victorian Toilets, fishing, several golf courses, to name but a few, please check directly with them or the tourist board that they are open or not.

The Visit Bute website is an excellent place to start to find out all about the island and what’s going on.

Set in a prime position atop terraced gardens the Glenburn commands fabulous views overlooking Rothesay Bay and the Cowal Peninsula. This grand, elegant three star hotel was originally constructed in 1892 as a hydrotherapy retreat.

Guest have a choice of accommodation with many bedrooms offering stunning views of the bay. Upgrade to a superior room for coffee maker, and seated area.

The bright Etterick restaurant seats up to 300 while the smaller Patterson Grill is great for special occasions, looking out over the bay. Perfect for private hire. Relax with a drink in the welcoming bar or enjoy the hotels terrace which is an ideal spot to soak up the views.

We strongly recommend all guests to stay at the Glenburn where there will be accommodation available to all who require it. We have negotiated a special room rate for our wedding guests to stay whether that be for one, two or three nights including breakfast. I can say with certainty it’s delicious as we have stayed here ourselves as a trial run.

There will be a complimentary returning evening coach from Mount Stuart on the Saturday night taking guests directly back to the Glenburn Hotel. This will be the only drop off point of the evening.

The Glenburn will also be the location for a pre wedding “meet and greet” meal and drinks reception in the restaurant and then ballroom on the Friday evening; which all guests (including children) staying on the island are welcome to attend should they wish, regardless of if residing at the Glenburn.

There will be a set menu, two or three course meal available with drinks to follow. There is more information on the Schedule and RSVP pages, along with meal choices and Allergy and Dietary requirements. Please let either the hotel know if you’ll be joining us, quoting “Evans Wedding Meal” or myself. Payment is direct to the hotel, on arrival, on the evening but food choices can be pre-ordered and submitted via the RSVP page. Should you be a guest at the hotel or already booked please just pop them a message to let them know you’ll be joining us and they can add it to your bill if required.

Should you not wish to join us for the meal and want to do your own thing for dinner then you are more than welcome to join us for just drinks in the ballroom after. Again please just let us know via RSVP for numbers.

The Glenburn with its ideal central location to town, and also the location for the Friday night reception, plus drop off point post wedding make this the ideal venue for our guests to stay and our recommendation.

Please call or email the hotel should you wish to stay at the Glenburn. To make your booking please quote KATE ARCHER WEDDING OCT 23

Email: reservations@glenburn-hotel.com
Phone: 01700 502500

Should you not wish to stay in the Glenburn Hotel then please check out the other venues suggested or www.visitbute.com where again there are lots of recommendations and links to sites to book a whole range of other accommodation from hotels to hostels, glamping pods, B&Bs, self catering apartments and air bnb’s.

Originally built in the late 14th Century after land was gifted by The King of Scots, Robert the Bruce to the Bannatyne family in thanks for Bannockburn. At the centre of the estate is the tower with its own well and reported tunnel to neighbouring estate for escape. More recent use at Kames as a hunting lodge and then additions such as the Victorian walled garden and glasshouse, constructed in the 18th century by Lord Bannatyne, with its heated pipes to allow more exotic fruits to grow as a sign of wealth; to today and its current owners who have lovingly renovation the estate to now offer self catering apartments.

7 self-catering apartments are available. Sleeping up to 36 people. Four are dog friendly. All with modern furnishings, log burner, free WiFi.

Please be aware that there is some distance between Kames Castle and Mount Stuart. If choosing to stay at any one of these properties you will require your own transport to get both too the castle from the ferry terminal and also from Kames to Mount Stuart both pre and post the wedding, and the other events, should you wish to attend and be staying on the island.

There is also a minimum night booking requirement for the cottages themselves also to be taken into consideration should you choose to stay here, please check with the property.

Sleeps us to 30 in 12 bedrooms, near Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. A grand waterside venue for special occasions with abundant outdoor activities and places to see. Idea for large family gatherings and celebrations, a spacious and detached holiday house which was previously a hotel.

Please be aware it is some distance from Mount Stuart to the wedding, and to the weekends events should you be on the Island and wish to join us. Kilchattan is a lovely place on the south side of the island but a car is necessary to reach it. The return coach will be heading directly into Rothesay from Mount Stuart only.

Ferries are non bookable, they operate on a first come first serve basis. You turn up and park then purchase your ticket at the office, you’ll be guided into a space and loaded accordingly. Ferries run approximately every 35-40mins. Please note by the 20th October they will be on the WINTER TIMETABLE. Please make sure you check the right schedule for timings. Due to weather there may sometimes be changes to docking especially on the return and you may be taken up the Clyde and embark closer to Glasgow.

Theirs is an alternative crossing at Colintraive-Rhubodach which is a much smaller crossing for those without sea legs and roughly lasts about 6 minutes. The boat departs every 30 mins. Be aware that currently they haven’t released the time table for the 16-22nd October 23 due to ongoing work on the service.

Also when you sail to Rothesay you will be on the summer timetable but sailing home it will be on the winter timetable so please check for time changes. Remember this service may or may not be running at all due to ongoing work so please check before you plan to travel. It’s a long way around to find it’s not sailing!

Prices for both crossings and winter and summer timetables are found on the website below.

Trains can be taken direct from Glasgow to Wemyss bay. There are interchanges from Aberdeen at Glasgow. Wemyss station has a covered walkway which takes you directly onto the ferry. With buses available on the island should you not wish to take a car it is all very accessible to move around with ease.