Bute-iful view

We took the train from Glasgow then a ferry from Wemyss Bay to the island of Bute. The day was a bit dreich, but the rain wasn't torrential. It even cleared up enough for a long walk, though we decided to stay at sea level.

After a macaroni pie lunch in Rothesay, we took the tourist bus up to Mount Stuart, which I'd never heard of before. A fella on the ferry (who was from Bute, but lives in Brixton - about a couple of miles away from me in London - small world) recommended that we visit the house and we weren't disappointed. A grand example of opulent Victorian wealth, with beautiful carvings and the most wonderful stained glass. It was the first house in Scotland to have electricity, central heating and a telephone. It was also used as a naval hospital during World War 1 - the lovely conservatory was the operating theatre.

We walked along the coast from the house and explored Asgog Hall Fernery, meeting a 1,000-year-old fern! The garden was all the more great for being slightly wild, with an honesty box for visitors (the fernery is someone's back garden).

Then a wondrous lingoustine dinner at the Victoria Hotel before catching the last boat back.