You can contact Roseland at:
Roseland Lodge Park
Canada Hill
Rothesay
Tel: 01700 501840
Mob: 07990 691946

OR

Visit the Roseland Lodge Park website for more details

More details are available at the Stay & Play Website CLICK HERE

UPDATE - There is now a dedicated website at www.buteforest.com

Can we do it?

The Rhubodach Forest which was put up for sale recently with an asking price in excess of £1.3 million could become a community owned asset for Bute. The community has the statutory right to buy-out the privately owned forest at the north end of Bute and 95% potential funding for a community buy out could be available making this a real possibility.

John McGhee QC who is spearheading the campaign has had “exciting discussions” with government ministers this week. John said “we need the community to get behind this to get it off the ground but it needs to do so straightaway – we need to have over 6oo signatures from eligible voters on the Island before Wednesday the 16th of September to be able to make a bid”.

John said the forest – described by the sellers as a “dream location” in a “magical situation” should be owned and used by the people of Bute. He described how the area could be made more accessible and attractive to tourists and visitors (as well as locals of course!) with walkways, cycle paths, pony trekking, forest crafts, children’s play areas and interpretation boards. John urged people to sign up and support this important development for the wider benefit of the island.

Rhubodach Forest is home to a Site of Special Scientific Interest. John has discussed the proposal with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and said the aim would be to enhance this area in conjunction with SNH to protect the important bird populations and ancient woodland while at the same time generating an income from managing the area of commercial forest for the benefit of the community.

The forest will provide employment and training opportunities for local people and the improved access and attractiveness of the area will provide significant benefits to the economy of the island as a whole from increased tourism. But in John’s view, more important that all that, it provides probably the only opportunity that will ever arise for the community as a whole to own and have a stake in the future management of a large and important part of the island.

If you are an eligible voter from Bute and would like to add your support to the campaign for a community buyout of this beautiful forest please fill out your details in the form below and press the send button:

Built and occupied by a ‘Captain John Stuart’ (namesake of Lord Bute, without the ‘Crichton’!) in 1795, the house sits in over two acres of exotically planted gardens which are a haven for ‘resident’ wildlife such as deer, owls, bats, hedgehogs, fish and the full spectrum of wild birds.

We are central for all local amenities/activities, yet at the same time completely private with no passing pedestrians or cars.

Go to the Ivybank website

At Munro’s relax and enjoy our quiet location up on the hill in Ardbeg.  Our large garden has marvellous views over the bay and on beautiful mornings you can have your breakfast on the terrace. You may even spot a fish in the lily-pond.

All our beautifully decorated rooms are ensuite - one with a whirlpool bath - and also include flat screen TV’s, wireless broadband access, underfloor heating in the bathrooms, lovely soft bathrobes, speciality teas and luxury toiletries.

Visit the Munro’s website

All the  apartments are fully equipped and have a sea view across the Firth of Clyde to the Ayrshire coast. Garden furniture is provided for you to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of Ardencraig House Apartments.

Only one minute from Ardencraig Gardens.  Here you will see during the summer months beautiful displays of flowers and plants.Also only a 5 minute walk down to the beach and a 5 minute drive to Mount Stuart House.

The principal owners of Ardencraig House, David and Elaine Daniels,came to visit Bute for a day in 2003 and decided to stay permanently. You will understand why when you visit Bute, Scotland’s Unexplored Isle.

Pets are welcome by prior arrangement only.

Visit the Ardencraig website

Visit the Ardbeg Lodge website

Paul and Sara have created a simple yet elegant interior that should appeal to the weariest of travellers. You immediately have a sense of quality in all the rooms, a quality which extends to the service that the owners provide. We want even a short stop-over to be a long term memory, for all the right reasons!
Visit the Boat House website

Overlooking Ascog Bay, with a colony of seals, Balmory Hall is set in 6 acres of private grounds, where deer, owls, hawks, hares and a myriad of other wild life visit, the Hall enjoys one of the most idyllic settings on the island. You can often hear the silence; the remarkable feeling of personal well-being this generates is one of the reasons many guests return again and again.

When Mount Stuart House was destroyed by fire in 1878 the 3rd Marquess of Bute and his family lived at Balmory Hall until his own Gothic mansion was completed.

We have been fortunate enough to live here since 1999 and have sympathetically restored Balmory to preserve the elegance of opulent bygone times, providing spacious ensuite bedrooms and breakfast and individual self-catering or serviced apartments. The Lodge stands alone and is ideal for guests seeking complete seclusion.

Visit the Balmory Hall website