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Despite its grand name THE PORT ROYAL HOTEL is a stone-built village inn of 1810 A.D. built on the seashore at Port Bannatyne, a fishing and yachting bay two miles north of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Bought eight years ago by a Russian family and transformed inside, they provide budget accommodation in four guestrooms, and in the Russian Tavern serve seafood freshly landed on the pier outside, local Real Ales poured direct from the casks on the bar, authentic Russian specialities, and imported Russian wines, beers and vodkas. The Tavern itself has a homely atmosphere where good grog and vittals are taken for granted, There is a piano, games of chess, dominoes and cards,
tapestries and Russian wall-plates and is lit by candle-light in the evenings. Curlews, oyster-catchers and seals share the beach outside, while wild deer graze the golf-course to the rear.
The Isle of Bute is overlooked by visitors to Scotland as it is completely undeveloped for tourism, industry or retirement homes. There are no caravans (trailers,) and little traffic. Yet it is easy to reach the island via Glasgow or Prestwick airports which are both connected by either bus or train to Wemyss Bay, the little port from a modern ferry sails to Bute every 45 minutes. Time stands still on the island, the pace of life is from a former age, and it is an ideal spot to chill-out from big city life amidst simply stunning scenery of mountain, sea, forest and green pastures. Guests amuse themselves hiking, biking, sailing, swimming with the seals, bird-watching, kayaking, golf, horse-riding along empty beaches, playing petanque, freshwater or marine fishing, or seeking out the prehistoric sites and Standing Stones.
There is a good bus service on the island, many taxis, an open-top double-decker tour bus, little buses that cross a minor ferry into Argyll with other services to the other islands and highlands. The island also boasts the finest historic house in Scotland open to the public, the magnificent Gothic Mount Stuart House.
A car is not necessary to visit Bute, in fact it is an expensive liability because of the ferry charges and the few roads.
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