The Isle of Bute is home to the first long-distance path on any of the Scottish islands: the West Island Way. Over 6 days (with 4 days of walking), we’ll explore a portion of this scenic trail and experience the beauty and the ruggedness of this island. There’s also a chance of spotting wildlife, so keep an eye out! All meals are included in this trip, as well as a terrific local guide, and the most charming accommodation imaginable, at the Glenburn Hotel.
We meet in Rothesay, the main town on the Isle of Bute. If you arrive by 4 pm, you can join a short orientation walk around town to get your bearings. At 6 pm, we gather at the Glenburn Hotel for a welcome drink and a briefing about the days ahead, followed by our first dinner together.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: The Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay
We start at Rhubodach, on the island’s northern tip, and climb through woodland past the ruins at Balnakailly. From here, we cross rough moorland down to the wide sandy beach at Ettrick Bay. Then we follow the route of the old tramway to Port Bannatyne, where we catch the bus back to Rothesay. It’s a varied first day on the West Island Way, with woodland paths, open moorland, and quiet lanes.
Hiking: 9.5 mi (15 km)
Elevation gain: 820 ft (250 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay
We head south to Kilchattan Bay and cross over to Stravanan Bay on the west coast. From here, the trail turns inland and passes Loch Ascog and Loch Fad on a mix of footpaths, moorland tracks, meadows, and quiet lanes. Along the way, we look west across the water to the Isle of Arran.
Hiking: 10 mi (16 km)
Elevation gain: 855 ft (260 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay
We take the bus back to Kilchattan Bay and walk through the grounds of Mount Stuart, a grand Victorian Gothic mansion. Today is a shorter loop. We follow a rocky shoreline path around the island’s southern tip, then head inland across meadows to the ruins of St Blane’s Church. It’s a 12th-century chapel on the site of a much older monastery. If there’s time, we might also visit the grounds of Mount Stuart.
Hiking: 5 mi (8 km)
Elevation gain: 885 ft (270 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay
We head back north to Rhubodach for our last and most challenging day on the trail. The path climbs up onto the moorland ridges, where it gets faint and the ground can be very wet. Good boots and gaiters make this day more comfortable. If you’d like an easier day, you can shorten the walk to about 6 mi (10 km) and take the bus back.
Hiking: 9.75 mi (15.6 km)
Elevation gain: 1,410 ft (430 m)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: The Glenburn Hotel, Rothesay
After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and continue on our way. Ferries leave Rothesay for Wemyss Bay regularly, starting early in the morning.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note that the itinerary may change depending on the weather, but your guides hope and aim to walk the full West Island Way.
Included:
Not included:
This West Island Way walking tour requires a basic level of fitness. You’ll walk between 5 to 10 miles per day (8-16 km)—you can find detailed day-by-day distances and elevation gains in the itinerary. Still, this is a gentle trail with mostly well marked paths. Daily elevation gain ranges from 250 to 430 m (820 to 1,410 ft).
Discover more adventures in Scotland here! You can also check out more women-only trips here!
If you’d like to combine this with another fantastic hiking adventure, check out Women’s-Only Walking Holidays on Isle of Arran, Scotland!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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While wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, the Isle of Bute is rich in diverse habitats that support a variety of wildlife. An experienced guide will take you to areas where you have the best chances of seeing animals such as sharks, seals, osprey, and red deer. The natural beauty of the island itself, combined with the potential for wildlife encounters, makes every walk a memorable experience!
Group sizes and pricing
West Island Way walking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your West Island Way walking tour is Rothesay, the principal town on the Isle of Bute. To get there, it’s best to first fly into Glasgow Airport (GLA). From Glasgow Central Station take a one-hour train ride to Wemyss Bay. That’s where you’ll take Calmac Ferry to Rothesay. Trains and ferries run every hour or so, and you’ll have no problem reaching Rothesay. Both the train and the ferry are very affordable.
Make sure to arrive by 4 pm on Day 1 for a short orientation walk of Rothesay, followed by a welcome drink and briefing at the hotel at 6 pm.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
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