West Island Way
The West Island Way is a 48 km waymarked route circling the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde — through a landscape of Highland scenery, sandy beaches and Victorian seaside architecture within easy reach of Glasgow.
About West Island Way
Bute is the closest island to Glasgow — barely an hour by train and ferry from the city centre — but feels genuinely remote on its northern end. The West Island Way circuits the island from Kilchattan Bay in the south to Rhubodach in the north, through moorland, woodland and the Victorian seaside resort of Rothesay.
For trail runners it is a one to two day circuit on varied terrain. The northern moorland is the wildest section; the eastern shore has good paths and Rothesay's Victorian pier and gardens are a distinctive mid-route landmark.
The route
Kilchattan Bay to Rothesay (~20 km): Along the eastern coast. Kerrycroy, St Blane's Hill ruins, into Rothesay.
Rothesay to Rhubodach (~28 km): The northern circuit — over the wild northern moorland and back down the western shore.
Getting there & logistics
Access: Train from Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay (45 min); CalMac ferry to Rothesay (35 min).
Start/finish: Kilchattan Bay or Rothesay. The ferry makes Rothesay the natural base.
Best time: May to October.
Safety
The northern moorland is the most remote section with limited mobile signal. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Reasonable rescue access from the main road on the eastern shore.
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