Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, Scotland
After a long drive south, we wanted a low-key travel day. Fortunately, the Isle of Bute was close to our final Airbnb in Scotland. The Isle of Bute has long been a seaside resort vacation destination for Scots, and the rail line first connected Glasgow to Wemyss Bay in 1865, integrating Scotland’s largest city by rail and sea with the seaside community of Rothesay.
Getting to the Isle of Bute today is easy by ferry. Every hour, the boat leaves from Wemyss Bay for the approximately 35-minute journey across the Firth of Clyde. We went to the station, bought our seven round-trip tickets, and boarded as passengers.
It was a sunny and breezy day as we crossed the Firth of Clyde. We climbed up on the upper deck and took in the scenery as we made the same journey that Scots have made for generations to the seaside resort of Rothesay. On the ferry, guests can buy drinks and snacks. Guests can also bring their cars to the Isle of Bute. The ferry is first-come, first-served, as reservations are not sold.
Walking off the ferry in Rothesay was very easy, and we spent a couple of hours exploring the town. Because we bought round-trip tickets in Wemyss Bay, we just scanned our tickets for the return trip. Current fares (2026) are reasonable: £4.35 per adult each way and £2.20 for children. A car making the 35-minute journey costs £15.50 each way.
Overall, we enjoyed our side trip to the Isle of Bute. When traveling, it is fun to take a boat ride on a side-trip journey. The Isle of Bute is very accessible from Glasgow, and it’s a great way to add an island visit to a trip to Scotland.