Rothesay with Caledonian Macbrayne (CalMac) departing from the most beautiful station in Scotland?
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- Опубликовано: 3 дек 2021
- Another day another ferry! And what a day it was - just a couple of days after Storm Arwen had swept through Scotland, the weather couldn't have been calmer as I set off from Wemyss Bay for a flying visit to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
The combined train station and ferry terminal at Wemyss Bay is one of the most beautiful and unique places I have ever started a trip from and it's long been on the cards for a visit.
So join me in Rothesay as I uncover some very interesting places during the two hours I have there!
Journey details:
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay, Sunday 28th November 12:10
Rothesay - Wemyss Bay, Sunday 28th November 15:05
Regular turn up and sail fare: £6.70 return.
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on RUclips. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do read every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
'I'm comin' home' by Scott Panther
I love Rothesay and also the ferry journey from Wemyss Bay. There is something about going to an island !!!
Hasn't changed over the years that beautiful covered walk way. I was born in Rothesay and spent my early childhood days there. I would go and visit Grandma who lived on John Knox Street in Glasgow then take the train from Glasgow Central ( platform 13 ) to Wemyss Bay then back to Rothesay.
One particular experience to remember regarding Wemyss Bay, the ferry left the dock in a howling gale to make the crossing. There were not a lot of passengers on the last ferry to Bute ,, by the time we reached Tower Point lighthouse the ship was almost coming out of the water.
We were advised that we were unable to dock at the pier in Rothesay so the ship turned back to Wemyss Bay. I was just a wee boy of 11 or 12 at the time I was so scared ,, I was on my own. It was dark by the time we returned to Wemyss Bay.
Some of the passengers were told they could spend the night on the ship. I explained my situation to the crew and they were simply wonderful. Of course the average folks in those days ( mid fifties ) didn't have phones and my Mum would have been in such a state if I didn't arrive home.
The ferry people contacted the police in Wemyss Bay, they contacted the police in Rothesay and they advised my Mum that I was safe and sound and I would be home in the morning. I was actually spoiled rotten by the crew members that remained on board, they sure looked after me ,, forever grateful to those nice folks ,, sailed home on calm seas the next morning ,,, great clip as usual Steve ,,
What a fantastic story and memory - thanks so much for sharing!!!
Brilliant story
Now officially *the* best loved railway station in the UK, and the crossing is an absolute bargain on a sunny day
Mount Stuart house west of Rothesay is a fantastic building with a stunning interior full of marble and astrological signs and stars in the ceiling that catch the sunlight and full of interesting collections of the Marquis of Butes.
The station looks amazing. Was over 60 years since I been there when my folk took train from Central to catch ferry to Rothesay and Millport for the Glasgow Fair holidays first 2 weeks July. Some viewer might wonder why so big. To accommodate the hoards of thousands having their only 2 weeks holiday per year. Indeed I remember the coal burners leaving from central Glasgow at the Broomielaw. No train required. Straight down the Clyde.
Correction ... last 2 weeks in July Glasgow trade holidays. The first 2 weeks August the Paisley trade holidays
@@alexmalcolm5577 The first two weeks in August were the Paisley trade holidays.
I think 1st 2 weeks in July are Greenock holidays.
Looks so peaceful and beautiful
Steve, The Scottish Tourist board would be proud of you. Beautifully videographed, and good content produced by someone rightly pleased to live there. Sad because it could have gone more smoothly for you had it not been a winter Sunday. Had you done the same thing earlier in the year, you would had more time, and some open facilities to be able to include in the video. Never mind, as you said, theres always another visit!
Cheers! Aye, it's tough with short days, but still nice to continue filming right through the winter :)
Loving these island / ferry trips. That train station is amazing and its great that it has been left as it is. 👍
Thanks Paul!
Used to go to doon the watter as a kid to Rothesay, Millport and Arran and they were great carefree days. Looking back now I realise they were indeed great days. I had forgotten about the grandeur of Wemyss Bay railway station and the walkway to the terminal. Just brill!! Been abroad too often through the the years and the urge now to revisit my homely haunts is very strong. Why did I stay away so long? Thanks for the vid Steve.
Cheers Thomas!
As always a great Video Steve. Scotland is incredibly stunning. I hope to bring my wife there soon and take her to Loch Lomond, Inverary. And some of the Islands. Show her some of the places I love. Especially Ibrox.
That would be awesome - it's with real pride you can show your wife all these places!
Thank you great video. Brought a tear to my eye. Our sweet Rothesay Bay. Childhood memories.👏
I think it's a good thing that her voice is in your head in her absence.
Fond memories of the 'Streakers' on this route. MV Jupiter, Saturn, & Juno. They were also used on the Gourock-Dunoon crossing back in the day!
I think that is MV Argyll that You saw.
Hi Steve - I’m pretty sure the other ship you saw was MV Argyle (sic), which usually partners MV Bute on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay crossing. MV Coruisk usually relieves them in turn for annual overhaul. I’m a bit of a CalMac geek, sorry! Anyway, another great video. Bute is under-rated. Lovely footage at the end with the sunset over Arran. Delighted to see you making some of my favourite trips. Hope to see footage of an Islay trip sometime!
Not sure - that ferry sitting alongside in Rothesay at 11.10 looks like the Argyle. Might just have been the Argyll doing a return crossing when Steve passed it?
@@witterquickly Hi - Steve said it was MV Bute which was out of service, in which case the passing ship likely was Argyle, as they are near identical. The ship seen alongside at Rothesay was probably Argyle having returned to Wemyss Bay. Bute is currently at Greenock.
Cheers Stewart! Islay/Jura trip very much on the cards :)
I agree
I believe there’s another ferry for the crossing from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay, the MV Argyle. The Coruisk (I don’t think I spelt that correctly) is often used in Oban, on the Isle of Mull route. The Coruisk ferry is actually used quite frequently on the Rothesay route. I love Wemyss Bay station, it’s an amazing station. Great video!
My Dad worked for Britrail in the ‘60’s before we emigrated to Canada. He was always at Wemyss Bay. It’s a beautiful Station. We once took the train to Wemyss Bay and got the ferry across to Rothesay for the day - my Mother, my five siblings and my two cousins. Had a great day, however I inadvertently missed the Ferry, at 9 years old I wasn’t too happy about it. My Mother tried to convince the Captain of the Ferry to turn back to no avail. A lady offered to keep me overnight and my Mum came back the next day to collect me.
Wow what an adventure that turned out to be! Probably scary at the time, but what a memory!
That station is gorgeous! Definitely adding Weymss Bay to my Scottish bucket list just so I can visit that station
Honestly Sarah, this is such an enjoyable trip and so easy to do with the rail & sail ticket :)
Definitely worth a visit. There's a great little (emphasis on the little) pub in the station and a super cafe next door. There's also a brilliant 2nd hand bookshop in the station.
Thanks for evoking all those childhood memories! Great to see places restored.
My absolute pleasure Janet!
No, thank you Man, that was short, sweet and just great. The terminal you found, never had any idea, really is a gem of planning and construction and I pray can never be let go again! Brilliant!
When I lived on the East coast of Loch Fyne we always took the Colintriaive to Rothesay ferry. The crossing is 90 seconds !! That is where the dentist and vet was located. Rothesay is the land that time forgot and reminds me very much of Bridgeton in the East end of Glasgow . Fond memories of my childhood and my Gran in Bridgeton.
Favourite channel is back. Looks great and reminds me how beautiful Scotland is!! Keep up the good work!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Thanks so very much Richard!!!!
Other ferry is the MV Argyle (not Argyll I know!). It’s the sister ship of the MV Bute and they usually tag team the Wemyss Bay - Rothesay service. MV Coruisk was built by CalMac to be an all round service replacement bus, hence it’s weird looking design. That’s also why it has both bow, stern and a side door as Rothesay used to only have side loading when the streakers (MV Jupiter, Saturn and Juno) used to ply the Clyde routes.
Great vid as always!
Awesome info! Thanks so much! :)
Lovely video. I remember when we stayed in Bute and Rothesay back in the early 1990s. We visited Bute and it was really Bute-e-full. What I remember most about that holiday is that we were holidaying with another Israeli family. I had been friends with the husband for a few years, until they had gone to live in Scotland due to his specialised work.
We were all really enjoying ourselves, especially the kids, but I had been feeling unwell for a few days with a sore throat. Eventually, one afternoon, the pain was so bad that I asked my friend if he could drive me to the nearest hospital. So, we got in the car and drove all the way through winding narrow roads to the hospital in Danoon. It seemed to take for ages. The weather turned bad and we were driving in the middle of a storm, me now with a high temperature.
Now, this hospital had been built by the US Navy who had a massive Naval base there until 1992, and they had only recently closed the base and evacuated all US forces.. Dunoon and surrounding area were still feeling the affects of the loss of business which had built up around the Naval base. So we drove into the hospital carpark, the rain pelting down.. It was absolutely massive, with room for hundreds of cars. However, apart from 3 other vehicles, the carpark was completely empty. . We walked up to the entrance of what looked like a major city hospital and all around us were empty hospital beds and medical equipment scattered about, as if the place had been abandoned. It was quite surreal.
A nurse walked by and noticed us walking in. Surprised, she asked if she could help. My friend explained the situation and I was led into a side room which led to what looked like a disserted ward. A doctor in a white coat saw us walk in and immediately got on the phone and announced to someone on the other end in an excited voice that they had a patient! Soon, I was surrounded by five doctors all dressed in white coats.
After I had been examined by all the doctors they conferred and decided I had strep throat and needed antibiotics. (As if I didn't know!)
He pulled down a box from the shelf which contained a bottle of pills and handed them to me. Now, being Orthodox Jews, we carried round with us a booklet which listed all food and drink which you could buy in the UK which were kosher, that is, suitable for observant Jews to consume. (Did not contain non-kosher animal ingredients etc). (Today, this list is online). This book also contained a list of medicines including antibiotics which are Kosher and those which are not. We looked up the name of this product and thank G-d, it was on the list as kosher but with a note that it was "Dairy" as it contained milk. (This is important as Jews must keep a separation between eating meat and dairy products. No Cheese Burgers for us!!!).
One of the doctors wanted to know what we were looking up so we showed them the list and said that it was suitable, only that it was dairy and I had to be careful not to take the pill after a meat meal. They seemed absolutely fascinated by this list and again was on the phone to speak to the hospital chemist to tell him that this pill contained dairy. They asked if they could photocopy the list as it was really important to know which drugs contained milk just in case someone had an allergy. We readily agreed and and left them with a copy of a list of kosher drug products. They did not charge us for the antibiotics and, after I had taken my first dose, we walked out, escorted by 5 doctors and three nurses, all waving us goodbye and wishing us a safe trip back to Bute.
As I said, the whole experience was totally surreal.
What a fantastic story (albeit a painful memory at the time!) :) Thanks so much Reb, all the best :)
Nice one Steve , it brought back memories of a day trip I did a couple of years ago….I left Kilmarnock by bus, to Ardrossan then across to Brodick (ferry 1) , bus from Brodick to Lochranza on Arran . Lochranza to Claonaig (ferry 2). Once you get to Claonaig there is a small bus that takes you to Tarbert on the Kintyre peninsula , where the next ferry awaits to take you to Portavadie(ferry3) . Bus to Colintraive . Ferry 4 to Rhubodach on Bute , making your way to Rothesay then across to Wemyss Bay (ferry5 )on the mainland . Many people cycle the route or take the car and stop over somewhere for the night . Definitely a trip for the longer summer days if your bussing it. Cheers ! Enjoying the channel 👍🏼👍🏼
What a fantastic trip! Jealous!!!! Cheers Jim :)
Brought back great memories visiting Rotheasy as a kid, back then as a kid playing around the castle. I'm sure back then you could rent bicycles 🚲 exactly like Millport 👍.
Yesterday archaeologists sure have a talent to create fantastic Railway Stations. Always enjoy your trips, short or long. 😊😊😊😊
Beautiful scenery and the station looks amazing
Absolutely stunning!
Stunning view! X
I do love these ferry trips! Thanks for another informative & striking video Steve.
Great video as always Steve. Thanks for doing what you do!
Cheers Pete! :)
i always went on this ferry as a kid on holiday this brings back memories!
Love the ferry videos - keep them coming.
Glad you like them Paul!
Charming place and such a majestic station! Loved this.
Thanks Beatrice :)
Thanks for again a splendid vlog.
Cheers Hans! All the best to you :)
Lovely tour
Really enjoyed .. thanks
Bril as always Steve.
brilliant as always thank you steve, brian d.
Cheers Brian :)
Steve, I can't believe that's the first time you've been to Wemyss Bay train station. I'm so glad you went there - it has to be the most beautiful train station in the country. That crooked road does remind me of Lombard street! Awesome!
I was supposed to go to Rothesay a few years ago, but ended up getting caught in a storm and soaking wet on a RIB - didn't make it to the island. It's another one for the list. I do love your videos! ☺️
So glad I made it there at long last!!!
Great job yet again.
Cheers! :)
Another lovely exploration. I love ferry trips and that station is gorgeous. Can't wait to one day soon travel from the US to Scotland again and continue exploring your country.
Thanks.
Thanks so much for coming along :)
Thank you for taking us on yet another epic journey in beautiful Alba! I really miss it there and enjoy your videos as A way to feel like I’m back! Regards from misty Holland!
So glad to bring these videos to your screen Dirk! Aw the best!
Wow, the station is an unexpected gem.
I had sketchy knowledge about it, so glad I went!
Hi Steve, yet again another brilliant video. What you do for Scottish tourism and Scotland is just amazing, very informative and great content as always.. Pure Magic.
Brian, thanks so much! :)
Really Enjoyed that thanks Steve. That station is absolutely stunning x
Glad you enjoyed it Judy, thanks so much!
Thanks Steve another great video ☺️
Thanks again!
As usual great content. Thank you
Merry Christmas :)
Brilliant as always! Beautiful train station / ferry terminal and beautiful scenery throughout...
Thanks Bill - took me so long to get to that station!
Perfect!!! Thanks Steve.
Cheers Steve!
That station was so cool. Love this island hopping adventures. :)
Thank you 🤗
Great Video Steve love it.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
WOW Steve, this was fantastic!
Thanks so much Gwendolyn!
Great to see you finally make over to Rothesay Steve 👏🏻! If you get the weather there’s no where more beautiful! My granda used to take us over on a regular basis when we where kids!
It was amazing! :)
A lot of lovely childhood memories there, thank you!
Wonderful place Jan, glad to bring you some memories :)
Absolutely brilliant video lots of memories of school trips 👍 thanks
Cheers James!
What a wicked gem that station that is at Wemyss. Love these little teasers you keep coming up with Steve. :-)
Cheers Peter!
Another Winter! Thank you so very much for taking the time to make these videos for us. You find the best places to visit. And I can't believe you actually would listen to what Alicja would say if it was to warn you of something not quite safe. I've seen it go the other direction. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.
Alicja is a lot smarter than me :) All the best Kate!
Lovely trip Steve. It reminds me there is so much of these British Isles that I haven't seen. Look forward to seeing more
Glad you enjoyed it Keith! Love a wee island adventure!
Beautiful video as always, Steve. What amazing scenery on the way over, on the island and on the way back -- beautiful sunset! Definitely tempting to visit Rothesay!
Cheers Barney! Pick a nice day and there's nowhere better :)
Thank you, Steve, brings back memories of the old Glen Sannox & doon the water trips in the 50s & 60 plus the occasional call in at the Zoo in Largs.
So glad to bring back some memories Alistair, thanks :)
The windy road hmmm that gives me an idea for my trip
This was an awesome day out Steve. Scenery was beautiful. Would love to make that trip on the ferry it looks a lovely place, maybe one day. So enjoyed this video thanks again Steve for my day out.😍
Thanks so much for coming along Margaret :)
Real stunning. Great job. Greetings from Holland!
Cheers Bert! All the best to you in wonderful Holland!
Short and sweet and well worth it, always keep the audience wanting more, and we do. Take care and stay safe,cheers.
Cheers Simon! I'm always exhausted after these day trips, need more time for sure :)
Great Trip , Great Vid as ever Steve Thanks
Thanks so much!
Well done Steve another great vlog, always enjoyed your work, defo makes me want to take that trip.
Cheers Tam! Appreciated :)
Another great blog from you Steve! Rothesay is about the only place I have not visited! Well done, you surely are putting Scotland on the map with the video's you share with the world!
Thanks Alan! A real pleasure to make these videos :)
Really crisp clear image ………thank you,love the content.
Thanks John!
Thanks for posting that. The trip you took, was for me a trip down memory lane. When my daughter was a little girl I used to regularly take her across to Rothesay. Looking at it now very little has changed apart from the ferry. Although I don’t ever remember such a smooth River Clyde.
Super memory :) cheers Robert!
Great vid Steve, I was in Rothesay a few months ago, what a great place.
Glad you've had the pleasure Peter!
Great video. Great closing music.
Enjoyed this short trip Steve. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it :)
As usual, another great video and as usual, more beautiful places to see. BUT, after seeing Storm Arwen last week Tennessee looks pretty good too. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Doris! Hope you're doing well :)
Fab video as always great to see these lovely places x thank you
Glad you enjoyed it Jeanette! Thanks :)
Just visited Rothesay for the first time and stayed in the Glenburn. Mainly inspired by your video. Had a very nice two days on Bute and we did drive up the Serpentine. we also got to see the victorian toilets.
What memories! Visited Rothesay in, dare I say it, in 1950 and 1951, on a school trip with Manchester Road Junior School, Droylsden. I was a wee 10-11 year old then! The serpentine road was on Canada Hill, I recall. Beyond Canada Hill was a holiday camp owned by the Glasgow Co-op. Looking back down Canada Hill at the streets below very little has changed in 70 years. Chick Murray and Maidie were 'top of the bill' at the Winter Gardens. And the ferry from Wemys Bay. Wonderful memories of Frae Bonnie Scotland, many thanks. Robert H. Fidler, Uvongo, KZN, South Africa.
Thanks so much fro the comment and really pleased to be bringing back some memories :)
Thanks Steve! Something to watch later on....On a very rainy summer's day here in Durban
Hey Steve, what a great day you had. You should go out on another day other than Sunday when places are open. But my, that hand rail has definitely seen better days! As always thanks for a fun day out!
Oh yes Janet! Would love to! Was actually going to go on the Saturday, but there were still warnings about the storm- although chatting to the CalMac staff, it was totally fine!
Very nice thanks for sharing with us to enjoy cheers
Thanks so much!
Wow! This brought back childhood memories of going to Rothesay on day trips. I have clear memories if Wemyss Bay Station, the palm trees along the prom, Zavaroni's (yes, Lena's family) and those stunning Victorian toilets. Think I'll have to go back when the weather improves a bit. Thanks for this video 😊
Aye pick a nice day and there are few better places :)
Brilliant! My auntie used to have a caravan at Wemyss Bay! The railway station has the same architecture as the old Oban Station-down to the blue and white paint! Chips from Zavaroni's in Rothesay and a scout around Woolies-happy days!😀
Fantastic! Cheers :)
Great video as per usual 👍
Cheers Hugh!
Nice trip that was. Lots of interesting things to see 😉
Glad you enjoyed it Basil :)
Another "guid yin" Steve, the choice of music you introduce into some of the videos is top notch, they really bring an atmosphere to the production, the best I can describe them as... is "Haunting" mate...superb !
Exactly how I wanted it, so really appreciate - music is always the most difficult part of edit :)
I really enjoyed watching your trip doon the water. Last time I visited we went to a sit in / take away fish and chip shop near the castle. Best fish and chips ever.
Wow,. Wow. Now this brings back memories for me of some 40 years back, maybe even a wee bit more. I took this trip with our neighbours way back then. I remember the station very well. I remember thinking even then as a kid what a nice place. It was also my first-time on a boat and on an island. It was also a great day with great sunny weather. I remember it all so vividly. Great day and great memories brought flooding back. Cheers m8.🤗🏴🇳🇱👍
Oh wow! So glad to bring back the memory Michael! Cheers :)
I sailed from Wemyss Bay to Rothesay many years ago, on the Calmac MV Glen Sannox ferry. I thoroughly enjoyed your trip. A great day out at a bargain price. Looking forward to your next video.
Thanks Alasdair! Glad you've experienced the crossing too :)
Coming from northern Ireland, these videos are great for showing us the wee journeys available in Scotland ☘️☘️☘️☘️ brilliant viewing 🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅 happy Christmas to you
And to you! Aw the best!
Both locations are full of character! The Rothesay swimming baths would be interesting to explore.
Winsome to the core Steve. Nailed it again. I thought it was very sweet that crew member remembered you. 🙂 Another fabulous addition 👍
Aye, they are so friendly, we had a good chat on the way back!
Cracker of a video Steve, the workmanship of the station is magnificent... The castle is great also.. Cheers.
Special place eh? Cheers!
Been there. Wymss Bay Railway station is absolutely stunning. My very favourite. Brings back happy memories with my family. ❤️😇
Cheers Michael! Glad to bring you a familiar place :)
Another brilliant video 👍😎 the station/ferry terminal are amazing. But I wouldn't fancy the swim in the clyde 😲🥶
Haha me neither! Cheers TTv!
Steve you're a crack-up. That was fun. Have not been to Rothesay but is on the list now. Appreciate your videos and humor.
Oh......the terminal at Wemyss????? Stunning! Thank You.
Cheers Martin :D
Wow! You have introduced me to more cracking places to visit - and on our doorstep 👍 Great video as usual - from George fae Fife 🏴
Cheers George!
We love taking the ferry from Wemyss Bay. Isn’t that station just amazing? Built for the vast numbers of Glasgow holiday makers steaming to Bute. The Tourist Information Centre by the ferry is fantastic. Another brilliant video- thanks again. We so enjoy your travels.
I was blown away by that station and it was incredible to go there, well overdue!
Yes Wemyss Bay Station is very nice, my Gran lived in Wemyss Bay back in 1965 in Undercliffe Road and saw all the paddlesteamers going do the clyde - Great sunsets! Rothesay is a nice place to visit, next time you should visit Ettrick Bay, the beach is very good and does have a cafe and sells ice cream.
Another lovely video Steve. Went to Rothesay for our P7 trip many years ago and remember the baths 🥴
Haha happy memories!
Wow, what a cute little town. Would certainly like to see more of it. That station is absolutely gorgeous. I could spend all day there. They certainly don't make them like that anymore. And the weather Gods were very kind to you for that travel day Steve. That Lombard road is crazy. Never knew there was another one other than the one in San Francisco. Looks like you're going to need more time on another trip to see everything else. And I was definitely wrong when I said it looked ominous in my guess, far from the truth. Beautiful view from the ferry, a perfect day!
Thanks Janice! Oh, sorry I'm a bit behind - the ominous island is still to come :)