
a lovely home
This spacious house occupies twelve bedrooms in a delightful position in the coastal town of Rothesay, on the beautiful Isle of Bute.


Set over two stories– with a main house, an annex, and a large garden with outdoor seating and a hot tub, Argyle House is a wonderful base for families and friends to come together for special occasions, or a family catch-up, while exploring along the coast of the Firth of Clyde.
Amenities

12 comfortable rooms
We have enough space for 21 people, and well behaved pets are welcome!

private hot tub
Relax in the private hot tub after a day of exploring the beatuful local scenery.

panoramic sea views
Our rooms have sea views, and the dining hall has a panorama from where you can watch the sun glint off the ocean.

Self catering
A stylish dining room with enough space for all your friends and family and ocean views.
If you fancy going out there are a plethora of great pubs and restaurants close by!

Excellent facilities
All 12 rooms are private, and 8 our of the 12 bedrooms boast an ensuite bathroom.

Cosy lounge & living
Relax, watch a movie, or play any of the included board games.
Things to do
Bute has some extraordinarily varied landscapes. From the Victoriana-meets-art-deco resort of Rothesay with palm trees and a grand promenade, to the lush, fertile, and rolling hills of the island’s heart.
Cycling
Bute is perfect for cycling.
The circuit of the island on our quiet roads is about 21 miles and none of the hills are too taxing. There are also options for shorter circular routes.
Rothesay has a well equipped bike shop should you need some spares or your bike succumbs to a bit of fatigue.
Finally, the Isle offers electric bicycles for those wanting a more leisurely pace: Bike Bute is Scotland’s first island-based community e-bike scheme!
Fishing
There is sea fishing off the piers if you want to try for some mackerel. Inland there are lochs to catch rainbow trout and pike.
The largest one – Loch Fad – is perfect for aspiring fly fishers whilst the more experienced can try Loch Quien for the elusive Brown trout.
Mountain biking
Bute Forest – owned by the community – can be found at the north end of the island. It’s a fabulous place to explore on foot or by bike.
Discover ancient sites, wildlife galore, and some truly stunning views across the Kyles of Bute.
You can roam free in the woodland, but there are also several excellent way-marked trails.
More info at Bute Forest.
Golf
Argyll and the Isles is home to some of the most scenic golf courses in Scotland.
Set in beautiful coastal locations, the golf courses offer stunning views from every tee.
Stand-up paddling
Bute has great paddleboarding spots with several sheltered beaches offering access to the water.
Bute Paddle Boards have a great range of equipment and boards to hire. You can even hire a large multi-person board!
Hiking
There are plenty of lovely beaches for a seaside stroll.
For the more ambitious we have the West Island Way, a marked trail that runs the length of the island.
Details at West Island Way
Horse riding
Discover the magic of Scotland’s western sea lochs and mossy lush woodlands. Trail rides over open moorland, through mature forests and hack out along deserted beaches.
More information at Local Riding.
Wild Swimming
Clean, clear waters with wide, sheltered bays, accessible coastlines and stunning scenery.
More information at Visit Bute.
Explore
Bute
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get there?
Please see this website for various options – for the quick and the scenic route!
When are the ferry times?
There are two, regular ferry services between the Isle of Bute and the mainland.
The main ferry service links Rothesay with Wemyss Bay in 35 minutes.
There is also an additional ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive that crosses the Kyles of Bute at their narrowest point, taking just five minutes to complete the trip.
How far to the nearest shops?
- Shops: 0.4 miles
- Pub: 0.3 miles
- Ferry: 0.3 miles
Can I visit with an electric vehicle (EV)?
What is the good housekeeping bond?
The good housekeeping bond is a fee we add to your invoice that we will pay back once your stay is over.
This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £300.

Argyle House is the perfect home base
The Isle of Bute is a Scottish gem, and the famous Argyle House is the perfect base to explore it from – so, bring your family and friends along for an unforgettable experience.


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Where to eat & drink
- Harry Haw’s
Tasty food & cocktails in this contemporary restaurant in the centre of Rothesay opposite the castle.
- The Ettrick Bay Cafe
Beachside cafe on one of the sandiest beaches on the island. Come and try their amazing cakes.
- CaleDonia Coffeehouse & Bistro
A cosy cafe with a touch of Gallic charm open for breakfast lunch and dinner in Port Bannatyne.
- Musicker
Super friendly vegan cafe with music.
- The India Pavilion
Rothesay’s curry house. The vindaloo is as hot as you’d imagine, and as tasty.
- The Bonnie Clyde Restaurant
A small family run restaurant located on the sea front in Rothesay. Friendly staff, cosy atmosphere serving local sourced produce. BYOB
- The Black Bull
Opposite the ferry pier. Friendly pub serving fine ales and lovely pub grub.
- The Golfers Bar
A busy, friendly bar with a unique snug in the window for groups of friends.
- The Galatea Bar
Beautiful bar, with lounge area, snug and sun trap beer garden. Regular live music and monthly quiz night.
- The Anchor Tavern & Hub
Friendly community owned pub and hub on the lovely Isle of Bute. Free house with wide variety of wines and local beers and gins. Dog friendly. Music night on Thursday night and a Quiz the last Sunday of every month.
Sightseeing, tours & experiences
- Mount Stuart House
A fantastic gothic mansion built by the 3rd Marquess of Bute in the later 19th century. Sitting in 300 acres of beautiful gardens the interior of this house needs to be seen to be believed.
- The Victorian Toilets
Situated on the pier these working loos are all polished brass, exotic marble and glass cisterns.
-
Bute Museum
A lovely little museum positioned just behind Rothesay Castle. Run entirely by volunteers the museum displays Bute’s history from the neolithic to the 20th century. Local fauna is represented too in the form of some fine taxidermy…
- Rothesay Castle
This unique (for Scotland) castle has a large moat and a great hall. There’s also a dungeon! Ransacked by the Duke of Argyll it’s still an impressive ruin!
- Ettrick Bay
The beach, which is about one mile long, sits in a sheltered position on the western coast of the Isle of Bute, and is backed by fields and gentle hills. From the beach there are views over the Kyles of Bute towards the Cowal Peninsula and the Isle of Arran. It is one of the larger sandy beaches on the west coast of Bute and is mainly composed of coarse, golden sand with very clear water.
- Bute Kitchen
Bute Kitchen brings together the
fantastic array of food and drink products produced on the island, creating opportunities for Bute’s farmers and
growers, bakers, smokers and butchers, distillers and brewers, ice cream makers and so on as well as offering
support and marketing for hospitality and entertainment outlets on the island.
- Isle of Bute Distillery
Isle of Bute
Distillery makes world-class spirits that showcase the island and everything it has to offer. The spirits are
inspired by the wonderful scenery of Scotland’s west coast and the wild places that can be found on Bute and its
surrounds.
- Bute Cheeses
Artisan cheeses produced locally.
- Bute Boats
Bute Boat Tours provide boat trips around Bute, Argyll and the Firth of Clyde.
- West Coast Tours
From 23rd May to 29th September West Coast Tours’ open-top bus tour will help you discover Bute and show you all the Isle of Bute has to offer.
- Wild Bute
Walks, talks & tours. Escape, Explore, Discover… the rich culture, history, heritage and wild life of Scotland’s ‘Royal’ Island with WildBute.