Ettrick Bay on the Isle of Bute, Scotland
Weekly favourite photo - 02/03/2025
This week’s favourite photo was taken on the lovely sandy beach of Ettrick Bay on the Isle of Bute, Scotland. It is a view over the small island of Inchmarnock to the Isle of Arran.
A couple of years ago Matt and I spent two great weeks exploring the Isle of Bute and the Argyll Forest Park. On Bute we stayed in the elegant main town of Rothesay.
On the first day of our stay we drove to Port Bannatyne on the east coast of the island.
From here we walked right across the island to Ettrick Bay on the west coast, which is a distance of only about 2 miles. Part of the route follows an old tramway, and the gradients are gentle with pleasant countryside views.
We arrived at Ettrick Bay as the tide was going out, and spent a couple of hours exploring the lovely sandy beach, watching the shore birds and enjoying the great views.
The view of the mountains on Arran was especially appealing. I have twice booked trips to Arran, and both times had to cancel. The first time was at Easter a few years ago. Just before we were due to travel there was unseasonably heavy snow which caused major disruption in the area, and people were asked to stay away. The second time the ferry to Arran was out of action. Perhaps it will be a case of ‘Third Time Lucky’.
Back to our day on the Isle of Bute, a short sharp shower was a perfect excuse to indulge in a coffee and extremely generous cake in the Ettrick Bay Cafe. We then walked back to our car at Port Bannatyne to complete a lovely introduction to this unspoiled little island.
Technical Information (for main photo above)
Camera: Olympus E-M1 MarkII
Lens: Olympus 12-45 Pro
Aperture: f11
Shutter speed: 1/640 sec
ISO: 250
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Lovely pictures and words Angie. I’ve not been to Bute, but I did do a photography week on Arran a couple of years ago. Absolutely stunning place, often described by better people than me as ‘Scotland in miniature’ and it certainly has everything you would want to see; mountains, waterfalls, lochans, forest, standing stones, incredible beaches. You’ll love it! D
The first photo in your series is absolutely stunning!