The Best Route Around the West Island Way - Isle of Bute

#ukwildcamping #backpacking #trailwalking
The West Island Way is a 30 mile walking route around the Isle of Bute, located on the west coast of Scotland.
I completed this route around three years ago and vowed then to return and do it in reverse because I always believed that it would hold better views... and I wasn't wrong.
The normal route starts at Kilchattan Bay in the south and ends at Port Bannatye in the north however I suggest that you try it in the opposite direction, you won't be disappointed.
If you fancy giving this route a try or have already tried it then drop me a comment and let me know your thoughts on it.
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My Travel Arrangements;
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🚗 - Weymss Bay Train Station Parking: £6.00 (48 hours) - myringgo.co.uk/
⛴ - CalMac Ferry Crossing: £6.90 (return foot passenger) - www.calmac.co....
🚌 - Bus from Kilchattan Bay to Rothesay: £3.60 - www.westcoastm...
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DISCLAIMERS
This video does not contain any paid promotion and all views are my own regarding the products I use.
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[@ervinslens]

Gorgeous nature's place, stunning landscape views, great atmosphere and a lovely walk with you. New friend here 🔔

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Thanks Ervin, I'm loving your channel too.

[@PAADVENTURES1]

pesky cows! 😊😊. enjoyed part 2 Brian. Pity about that old School building! I am always amazed at the reasons we cant repurpose these structures, such a shame. changeable weather eh! windy, wet and blue skies all within 5 minutes! great wee walk. cheers. Paul

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Tell me about it, they're a special breed on that island I'm sure. I know, it was a glorious building to look at. I have a relative in the architecture world and they say that these days it's all about new builds being cheaper and more economical regards to heat etc (hence the steel and glass we see everywhere). They say that only the best of the best are preserved and will seldom be built like that again, like the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow as an example. It wasn't until I was doing the edit that I realised just how much the weather changed on that last section over I'd say half an hour. It was literally warm sun, get to the summit; here's the cloud and rain, get to the ruin; here's the cloud break, get to the coast; here's the sun and wind again 😂 brilliant though. Chuck this route into your bag of maybes and I'm sure you'll not be disappointed with it one weekend.

[@Greenleaves]

Thanks for sharing a new and useful video I like the feeling that communicates well even if the language is different Full watch, I want to come again Cheer Have a great time ☺❤🍀⚘😚💑

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Hi there, thanks for watching and I'm glad that you liked it. I hope that you find something useful on the channel and have a great time too 👍🏼

[@DerekHoughton]

Agree with the reverse route, really with the views towards Arran. Just done a day trip Rothesay to Kilchattan Bay last week, bus back to Rothesay. Wary of the Cows of Cowgate but managed to avoid them 🤣 Enjoyed your video 👍👍

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Hey Derek, was it a walking route you did from Rothesay to Kilchattan Bay or a cycle? It's a cracking wee island but those cows are a different breed over there for sure 🤣 I know I'll end up doing this one again and hopefully avoid the cows completely on the third time around 🤞🏼 Glad you liked this and I hope you got something from it too.

[@lindsay96]

Doing this in November, glad I came across these videos. Will deffo do in reverse, cheers!

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Hi Lindsay, I hope the video has helped and November should be interesting weather. I hope you get crisp cold rather than wet and windy. I really love this walk and the reverse route (for me) is absolutely great. I hope it's as every bit as good for you as it was for me and make sure to have a shot on the tree swing.

[@lindsay96]

@@AScotsmanOutdoors Thank you! I'm hoping for cold and crisp but knowing my luck it'll be waterproofs and waders! Looking forward to it, not been to Bute in donkeys :)

[@GusExplores]

Great video Brian definitely a great adventure with lots of useful information for anyone planning this route. The changing weather really sums up what it can be like in Scotland. I can't wait to see more of Harris in your videos.

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Hey Gus, thanks for that. Yeah, it shows just how different the weather can be in one day in Scotland, especially on the west coast. Hopefully there's enough information on both the vlogs to assist anyone looking to do this route. Have you any plans for it? I'm sure Harris will be making appearances in the future too.

[@GusExplores]

@@AScotsmanOutdoors no, no plans for that 1. It looks good but I have so many things I want to achieve I really should not be adding anything to the list. 🤣

[@cubmiester9730]

Great video, really enjoyed it. My parents used to live in Langalbuinoch Cottage overlooking Stravanan beach 11:10 secs in, many many happy memories. Thanks for video.

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Wow! That must have been a great place to do some growing up. What a location. I've often thought about going back over and camping there but worried I would get cow-trampled (those cows are something else on that island). Glad that you liked it and that it raised some memories.

[@cubmiester9730]

@@AScotsmanOutdoors Hi, yes it was an amazing place. When offshore and cheesed off I go to Google earth and look at and remember. You should defo go camp, I have done it a few times with the kids, they love it. Thnaks and stay safe.

[@silentrabbit247]

I lived on Bute 1993-2000 and visited everyone ( voluntary work ), I remember that cottage, sure we met chaps from Australia / NZ shearing the sheep. Did those walks before it was an official trail. ( probably met your parents ) All best.

[@Mick337]

I enjoyed watching this thank you

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

You're welcome Mick. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Have you been to Bute yourself?

[@mmtpleasant]

Harris is so cute!!! ❤❤ great video.

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Thanks for watching and giving me a reason to rewatch the two videos. It's a great reminder of why I do these videos (so I have the memory to look back on) and it was amazing seeing "wee" Harris again. He's not just so wee now. Thanks again for watching and I'm glad you liked it... and yes you're right, Harris is cute.

[@hikebikescotland9121]

Great to see you out on another overnighter!! - I wildcamped at Glencallum bay a few years back... took my road bike as thats all I had back then!! - blue skys it was... this reminded me of that camp... I'll need to go back and take the missis next time... 😃

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

I'm glad that you liked it and also that it brought back memories. How you got a road bike in there without a lot of carrying I'll never know 😂 I'll definitely camp there at one point because as I said it's a superbly stunning bay. It would be good to see you out there for a wild camp. I look forward to seeing it 👍🏼

[@Kev_Russ]

The ignorance of these drivers eh 🚜😉 Enjoyed part 2 Bry. Lovely views to Arran. Great walk for a wet n windy day. Glencallum Bay looks stunning. Nice for the sun tae pop oot then....Harris 😍

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

As always, glad that you liked this mate. Yeah, 😂 so rude them drivers. As I said throughout, Arran is always there and offers the best views. I remember Glencallum the last time and it was equally as grand this time so I'll definitely need to have a wee camp there at some point. I got a bit of everything weatherwise that day which just goes to show how changeable the weather can be here. Literally layering up and down all day. Yeah, Harris is a wee smasher, when he's not peeing and pooing every ten minutes but that's puppies for you. Thanks for watching that far in too 😉 When are you next out?

[@Kev_Russ]

@@AScotsmanOutdoors Haha aye I remember that time with Ghillie well. 😁🐶 Hopefully be oot this weekend Bry. maybe Sunday to Monday with Rob. He'll be driving 🤭

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

It's a tough old time. I don't even bother putting my sofa into recline just now because you can bet your socks that as soon as that's back, he's toddling off to the door 😂 No joys with the car just yet then? I was a couple of doubloons last week with mine 😭 they'll always be an expense. I look forward to seeing where you get out to 👍🏼

[@Kev_Russ]

@@AScotsmanOutdoors Haha aye just got a phone call earlier. Just a new radiator that it needed. All sorted. Woop woop 👌 Just need tae figure oot how to pick it up from Mussy seen as am doon at Copath these days. Misses might run me in the morn if she gets away early.

[@wildalbalass4867]

Great stuff. Many thanks.

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

My pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Is it a route you're thinking of doing?

[@cashbullah-pe3nw]

great vid

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Cheers Cashbullah, is it a route you've done or are doing?

[@julieallum140]

Looking forward to doing this in May, for sure I'm going to do it the way you suggest.

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Excellent stuff Julie, I hope that you get good weather for it. Are you planning on camping or staying indoors and in how many stages? I don't think that you'll be disappointed by going this way, I found it so much more enjoyable. You'll need to let us know how you get on.

[@julieallum140]

@@AScotsmanOutdoors I'm cheating, staying in a pod at the campsite just outside Rothesay , taking my bivvy bag and if weather looks good may have a wildcamp. My last trio to Scotland was for Affric Kintail Way last August and was blessed with good weather my luck has got to run out eventually 😁

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Oh that's not cheating at all. If anything I would say that's a good move. You can't beat a good night's sleep and guaranteed shelter (but I do love a camp). Here's hoping your luck stays and you get the clear views all round.

[@roymeetsworld1]

Beautiful area, how many days of sun do you get a year??

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Hey Roy, we are rather fortunate with views to be fair. That's quite an interesting question and my quick research shows between 61 and 64 days a year... wow... that's not actually that many. It's probably why we love them when they do happen.

[@HighlandHikers]

I am not a fan of walking through fields with cows in them at all, they give me the fear 😂 - Alistair

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Well, that makes two of us 😂 I've honestly never experienced cows like the Bute ones. It's surreal, plus they make you end up crawling through fences 😂 Thanks for watching as always 👍🏼

[@cashbullah-pe3nw]

farmers seem to make it as inhospitable to walkers as possible..

[@AScotsmanOutdoors]

Hey Cashbullah, it certainly appears that way sometimes but I guess we've got to give and take with the areas, especially here in Scotland with the right to roam. There's definitely something different about those Bute beasts though 😂