Walk 17 - Rothesay to ettrick bay
It seems incredible that there was once a tram line on Bute. A local aristocrat stopped the railway companies connecting up the Largs and Wemyss Bay lines - a decision that has cast a long shadow on public transporation in North Ayrshire to this day. By contrast, the Port Bannatyne to Ettrick Bay tram line was considered an unprofitable indulgence and was mothballed long before Beeching sharpened his scalpal. Today, there is almost no trace of the line. No station buildings or discarded rails can be seen. For the casual walker, this former railway line is one of Bute's best offerings. This Firth of Clyde route starts in Rothesay and follows the coastline, past a long esplanade of houses before reaching the old railway terminus.
This is an easy route to follow. From the ferry terminal car park, turn right and follow the shore road all the way along the sea front towards Port Bannatyne. The A886 is a wide boulevard accompanied continuously by rows of painted terraced houses, and large detached houses set in vast plots (photo 1). On a good day this affords a grand view of the Cowal Peninsula (photo 2). The main road forks not far from the end of Rothesday Bay; carry straight on along the waterfront (photo 3), towards the small park (photo 4). After the coastline turns a sharp left, follow the road, which soon rejoins the A884 (photo 5). Walk past the boat yards and approach a small car park and facilities, shortly before the A884 / A886 junction.
A path wanders off to the left into a small woodland, past a small playground. This was the start of the long-dismantled railway line. Proceed along this fairly muddy path, which soon rejoins the A884 road, not far from Kames Castle (photo 6). The good news is that there is a stately tarmac path following the roads all the way to Ettrick Bay (photo 7, and other photos). The A884 breaks off to the left after about a kilometre (photo 8). The path meanders briefly through touches of woodland, and passes the hamlet of St Colmac (photo 9). As you approach Ettrick Bay, the landscape becomes uncharacteristically flat, with wide open fields (photo 10), a few scattered lonely cottages (photo 11), bordered by low hills to the south (photo 12). The West Island Way crosses over the path a couple of hundred yards away from the Ettrick Bay car park (photo 13). The bay is equipped with a pleasant cafe and facilities, although the bus services may be found wanting. (Sometimes the bus shows up, sometimes it doesn't.) However, this route is flat nearly the whole way, and with a well-stocked cafe at Ettrick Bay, the walker need not complain about walking back to Rothesay.
A path wanders off to the left into a small woodland, past a small playground. This was the start of the long-dismantled railway line. Proceed along this fairly muddy path, which soon rejoins the A884 road, not far from Kames Castle (photo 6). The good news is that there is a stately tarmac path following the roads all the way to Ettrick Bay (photo 7, and other photos). The A884 breaks off to the left after about a kilometre (photo 8). The path meanders briefly through touches of woodland, and passes the hamlet of St Colmac (photo 9). As you approach Ettrick Bay, the landscape becomes uncharacteristically flat, with wide open fields (photo 10), a few scattered lonely cottages (photo 11), bordered by low hills to the south (photo 12). The West Island Way crosses over the path a couple of hundred yards away from the Ettrick Bay car park (photo 13). The bay is equipped with a pleasant cafe and facilities, although the bus services may be found wanting. (Sometimes the bus shows up, sometimes it doesn't.) However, this route is flat nearly the whole way, and with a well-stocked cafe at Ettrick Bay, the walker need not complain about walking back to Rothesay.
All text, maps and imagery are copyright of Dr Malcolm Sutherland (2013 - 14).
DISCLAIMER: visitors to this website must take all necessary precautions when travelling to the sites listed in this website and when walking. People viewing this website are entirely responsible for their own transportation, health and safety if they travel to relevant locations and attempt any of the walks listed on this website.
DISCLAIMER: visitors to this website must take all necessary precautions when travelling to the sites listed in this website and when walking. People viewing this website are entirely responsible for their own transportation, health and safety if they travel to relevant locations and attempt any of the walks listed on this website.