Last week, we reported on Shawlands being announced as one of the best places to live in Scotland.
The enviable south side neighbourhood was Glasgow's sole entrant in the latest Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide, praised for its 'premium coffee and cake quarter', and its proximity to the beautiful Pollok Park and newly re-opened Burrell Collection.
Shawlands rubs shoulders with the likes of Braemar, Culross and North Berwick on the list, popular Scottish destinations that were perhaps unsurprising inclusions.
Yet above all others, an island just 90 minutes away from our city was deemed to be 'Scotland's best place to live'.
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The Isle of Bute was found to be number one by the Sunday Times's expert judges, who ranked a variety of Scottish locations on a range of factors, including schools, transport, green spaces and the health of the high street.
Describing the Isle, found in the Firth of Clyde and home to little over 7,000 people, the Sunday Times said: "Island life with a difference takes pride of place in Scotland.
"Just 90 minutes from Glasgow, Bute stands head and shoulders above all the other Scottish Islands for commutability, and it’s full of adventurous locals fizzing with ideas to make their neighbourhoods shine."
Understandably, despite Bute's clearly burgeoning reputation as a place to settle down, you might not fancy the move and the 90 minute commute every day, despite how blissful a trip to work that might be on a sunny summer day.
So, instead, we've listed the reasons you may consider taking a day trip to the island and what makes Bute so beautiful. The main stop off point may be Rothesay, but there's more to life on the island than its capital.
Take a hike
There are a number of hikes and trails across the Highland offering us city folk a chance to stretch our legs after a busy work week.
Many of them are coastal walks which give people an opportunity to stop off and cool down at one of the island's many attractive beaches, while others offer historical points of interest, such as the Kilchattan Bay Loop Walk, which passes by St Blane's Chapel.
And if you time your walk just right, you could end up in the perfect place to watch the sunset out west.
Popular trails include the West Island Way Walk, Bute Community Forest Trek and the Rothesay to Glen More Walk, which you can find out more about here.
Visit Magnificent Mount Stuart House
Considered as 'Britain’s most astounding Victorian gothic mansion', if you've travelled to Bute, a visit to Mount Stuart House and Gardens is probably one you don't want to miss out on.
The striking building is considered a huge success of architecture and interiors, having first been constructed way back in 1719.
It's also bursting with Scottish history, once home to the Stuarts of Bute, descendants of the Royal House of Stuart and a stronghold for Scottish kings.
Mount Stuart House and Gardens reopens to the public this week, Friday April 15 and will remain so until October 30.
For more information, click here.
Arrive in time for the Bute Highland Games
"What better way to indulge yourself in the pure flavour of Scotland?". The annual Bute Highland Games is a major draw and sees the island's population endure a temporary boom each summer.
Pipe bands, Highland dancers, wrestling and even tossing the caber competitions all take place in front of the hordes who have gathered in Bute, with visitors from across Scotland and beyond.
Considered by many an 'unmissable' Scottish experience, this year's games takes place on Saturday, August 20.
To find out more, click here.
Sample the island's food and drink scene
Any day trip benefits from a portion of good food - thankfully in Bute there are plenty of options.
A number of restaurants, cafes, butchers and bakers have signed up to the ButeKitchen campaign, a 'symbol of local production and excellence', shining a light on the local marketplace and produce.
Top picks, according to the Visit Bute tourist board, include the Victoria Hotel, self-described as having 'long been the finest hotel on the island', with their food offering including homemade steak pie and sticky toffee pudding, the Electric Bakery, serving delicious scones, sandwiches and sweet treats, and Isle of Bute Gin, who put on drinks experiences while also hosting a hugely popular gin garden.
For more, click here.
Dip your toe in the water at some beautiful beaches
Like many Scottish island beaches, the water can be a bit cold, but often they provide for stunning views.
You could say the same for at least a couple on Bute, with Scalpsie Bay and Ettrick Bay being our standouts.
Scalpsie Bay attracts sunbathers on account of its red sand and sensational sunsets and offers a secluded getaway spot on the island.
Furthermore, family-friendly Ettrick Bay, a golden sandy beach approximately one mile long, benefits from a brilliant local tearoom and a popular children's play area.
For more info, click here.
Relax in a cosy country pub
The Kingarth Hotel and Smiddy Bar is considered Bute's only country pub and according to sharebute, is the perfect place to warm up and wind down after a hike or day out exploring the island.
They say: "The Kingarth Hotel and Smiddy Bar, at Kilchattan Bay, was established in 1786 and is Bute’s only country pub. Enjoy a roaring log fire, cosy décor and hearty food — just what you need after a long day outside."
For all you need to know about the Kingarth, click here.
Visit some of the best toilets in Scotland ...
As listed by VisitScotland, a trip to 'some of the country's best toilets' is a worthwhile excursion on any trip to Bute.
And they might not be wrong. Rothesay's historical Victorian public toilets are heralded as one-of-a-kind.
As described by Wild About Argyll: "Commissioned by Rothesay Harbour Trust in 1899 during Rothesay's hey-day as a holiday resort, the gents lavatory is a magnificent sight to behold.
"The interior walls are entirely clad in ornately patterned decorative ceramic tiles and the floors are designed with ceramic mosaic.
"Apart from the cisterns in the cubicles, all the original fitments remain as supplied in 1899."
An essential stop-off, then.
Bute is only 90 minutes from Glasgow
With Bute being such a short distance from Glasgow, you can make it there and back in the day, meaning you don't have to splash out on accommodation if you don't want to.
To get there, take a train from Central to Weymss Bay. From there, there is an hourly ferry (on the summer timetable) service transporting you over to Rothesay in around 35 minutes.
For more on the ferries, you can visit the Cal Mac website here.
It all adds out to a great family day out.
Have you been to Bute recently? Share your best recommendations in the comments!
