As we drove along the Kilbirnie road early on Saturday morning, dropping down into Largs we were greeted by a bank of fog and light drizzle. Not exactly an encouraging start for our day trip to Bute! Fortunately, the sun didn’t take long to start to burn away the gloomy weather and by the time we rolled into Wemyss Bay it was mostly already gone. One of our members, Donnie, had been ultra keen and had already made the crossing to Rothesay on an earlier Ferry. Tracy, Alan, Roy and I followed on across on the 11am boat which was already looking very busy with the fine weather obviously encouraging folk to make the day-trip.
Roy kindly offered to take his car across to the island to give us more options for having a good look around. After a short but splendid crossing we arrived in Rothesay and drove northwards to Port Bannatyne, and idyllic little coastal village in the warm August sunshine. With planters filled with beautiful flowers all along the front and views out across the bay to the Cowal peninsula, it made the perfect place to stop and take some photos. Local children were jumping into the sea from the end of the pier and families had already started to have picnic lunches by the shore.
Starting to feel a little peckish, Alan suggested we take a trip across the island to Ettrick Bay where the busy Tea Room offered much needed sustenance and refreshment.
Our main reason to visit Bute was to see Mount Stuart House and Gardens, so after lunch we hopped back into Roy’s car and headed south to grandiose ancestorial home of the Marquesses of Bute. Built in the Gothic Revival style the building certainly makes an impressive sight. Arriving quite late in the day we immediately headed into the house to explore the amazing interior. Features include a colonnaded Marble Hall with an incredible ceiling decorated with the constellations of the night sky. The library with it’s amazing collection of scientific and botanical books was another highlight. After enjoying the well laid out route through the house we managed to get a much needed cup of tea before the café shut for the day. In the warm evening sunshine we took a stroll through some of the expansive gardens, looking out for photo opportunities as we went.
Heading back into Rothesay we just missed the 6pm ferry back to the mainland, so unfortunately, we had to pop into the Black Bull for a quick drink and a chat with the locals before it was indeed time head back to the boat for the 7pm sailing.
The flat calm crossing in warm evening sun was the perfect opportunity to take scenic photos. On our arrival back at Wemyss Bay station the low sun illuminated the interior architecture of the station beautifully, casting long shadows and making for some great photos. We finished off a splendid day with fish suppers on the front at Largs as the sun went down with yet more photo opportunities!
Irvine Camera Club start our new season with our Open Evening on Tuesday 6th September at the Irvine Community Sports Club. You are very welcome to come along. There will be refreshments and a raffle and you’ll be able to find out all about what we do and what we can offer you on your photographic journey. Hope to see you there!
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