Ettrick Bay
On the north-west coast of the island. It’s a mile-long stretch of golden sand with stunning views over to Arran. Ettrick Bay Tearoom serves up ice cream, tasty meals and mouth-watering cakes. The tearoom is dog friendly. Beach facilities are good with car parking, toilets, picnic areas and a small children’s play area.

St Ninian’s Bay
St Ninian’s Bay, also known as The Straad, is a small horseshoe-shaped bay covered with white cockle shells. Just further south than Ettrick Bay, it is protected by a spit of land called St Ninian’s point.
It’s well worth taking a wander out along the point for the fantastic views of Inchmarnock and to see the ruined 6th-century Ninian’s Chapel. Beware though – it gets cut off from the mainland at spring tides, i.e. just after the full moon. The bay, the surrounding fields and the saltmarsh to the northwest are home to a wealth of birdlife. Look out for waders including ringed plover, dunlin, oystercatcher and curlew. Shelduck, greylag and Canada geese all breed in the area and white-tailed eagles have also been spotted here.

Scalpsie Bay
Further south is secluded Scalpsie Bay, a beautiful stretch of reddish sand. It’s just a five-minute walk from the road along a sign-posted path. This is the place on Bute to spot seals. Head to Seal View viewpoint where you can watch the large colony of seals, both Common and Grey, on their rocky perches. This tranquil beach is a great place to relax, soak up the scenery of Bute and admire the views to Kintyre and Arran.

Kilchattan Bay
Sits near the southern tip of Bute on the east coast. It offers wonderful views across the water to Great Cumbrae. Known locally as the ‘Wee Bay’ it sweeps around to the north, while to the south is the start of the West Island Way. It leads along the rocky shore and past the lighthouse which marks the southern end of the island.

The West Island Way was officially opened in 2000 by Janet Street-Porter, the journalist and former president of the Ramblers Association. The route runs the length of the island for about 28 miles (45km) and can be accessed from various points if you want to split the journey.

The West Island Way was the first waymarked long distance island footpath in Scotland. You could walk it between one and five days, but it is best walked over two. It crosses dramatic Bute landscapes, with beautiful coastlines, beaches, farmland, the moors and forests. The route is now part of Scotland’s Great Trails network.

More information can be found on the website: www.westislandway.co.uk