Kyles of Bute
{{Short description|Channel in Argyll and Bute, Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Kyles of Bute National Scenic Area
| photo = Kyles of Bute.jpg
| photo_caption = Caladh Harbour, Kyles of Bute. Taken in the anchorage behind Eilean Dubh. The Isle of Bute can be seen in the distance.
| location = Argyll and Bute, Scotland
| nearest_city =
| map = Scotland Argyll and Bute
| relief = 1
| map_caption = The location of the Kyles of Bute within Argyll and Bute.
| coordinates = {{Coord|55.930|-5.187|region:GB-AGB_type:waterbody|display=inline, title}}
| area_km2 = 57.4
| established = 1981
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = NatureScot
}}
The Kyles of Bute ({{langx|gd|Na Caoil Bhòdach}}) form a narrow sea channel that separates the northern end of the Isle of Bute from the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute, on the Scottish mainland. The surrounding hillsides are roughly wooded, and overlooked by rocky tops and areas of moorland.
The Kyles are split into the East and West Kyles. The East Kyle ({{langx|gd|An Caol an Ear}}) runs from Rothesay Bay north west up to the entrance to Loch Riddon. Here at the northern end of the East Kyle are the Burnt Islands and the island of Eilean Dubh. The West Kyle ({{langx|gd|An Caol an Iar/An Caol Ceathrach}}) runs from here southwest, past the village of Tighnabruaich out to the Sound of Bute.Ordnance Survey Explorer Map. Sheet 362: Cowal West & Isle of Bute. The area is a designated National Scenic Area.
The Kyles are reflected in the name of Tighnabruaich-based Shinty team Kyles Athletic.{{cite web |url=http://www.kylesathletic.co.uk/ |title=Home |publisher=Kyles Athletic |access-date=2016-12-14 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208082141/http://www.kylesathletic.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}
Transport
The narrowest strait is only some {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}} across and is spanned by the Calmac ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive.{{cite web|url=https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/colintraive-p234911 |title=Colintraive |publisher=VisitScotland |access-date=2016-12-14}} The crossing takes only 5 minutes, and runs every half hour throughout the day, seven days a week.{{cite web|url=https://www.calmac.co.uk/colintraive-rhubodach-bute-ferry-summer-timetable |title=Summer Timetable | Bute Colintraive to Rhubodach |publisher=CalMac |access-date=2018-04-10}} Since 1999 the service has been operated by {{MV|Loch Dunvegan}}, which formerly served on the route from Kyle of Lochalsh to the Isle of Skye. Due to her size relative to the short crossing the ferry normally sails with both ramps unfolded.Caledonian MacBrayne: Ferries of the Clyde, Highlands and Islands. Ships Illustrated. Special Issue No. 11. {{ISBN|978-1-910554-17-3}}. p. 39. As the crossing is so short the issue of whether the ferry should be replaced by a bridge has been discussed a number of times, for example by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in 1995.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/bridge-to-bute-only-way-to-combat-high-ferry-fares-1.664789|title=Bridge to Bute 'only way to combat high ferry fares'|publisher=HeraldScotland|date=1995-08-26|access-date=2018-05-01}}
The A8003 road runs above the West Kyle, reaching a height of {{convert|130|m|abbr=on}} just north of Tighnabruaich. On the mainland shore of the East Kyle the A886 road also takes a route above the shoreline, however the B866 road runs closer to the shore of Loch Riddon. The A and B roads meet just north of Colintraive, from where the route of the A886 continues over the ferry to run along the east shore of Bute to Rothesay.
Tourism
A trip through the Kyles of Bute was a common feature of a trip "doon the watter" on a Clyde steamer during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/heritage/people-places/scottish-phrase-of-the-week-doon-the-watter-1-3579774 |title=Scottish phrase of the week: Doon the watter |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=21 October 2014 |access-date=22 November 2016}} As of 2025 the {{ship|PS|Waverley}}, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world, still operates on the Clyde and continues to offer sailings through the Kyles in spring, summer and autumn.{{cite web|url=https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Glasgow-Clyde-Coast-Spring-Autumn-2025-Timetable.pdf |title=GLASGOW & CLYDE COAST SPRING AND AUTUMN 2025 |publisher=Waverley Excursions Ltd. |access-date=2025-04-07}}{{cite web|url=https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Glasgow-Clyde-Coast-Summer-2025-Timetable.pdf |title=GLASGOW & CLYDE COAST SUMMER CRUISES 2025 |publisher=Waverley Excursions Ltd. |access-date=2025-04-07}} The Kyles are also very popular for yachting, and there are many sheltered anchorages.{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2017-07/Publication%202010%20-%20SNH%20Commissioned%20Report%20374%20-%20The%20Special%20Qualities%20of%20the%20National%20Scenic%20Areas.pdf|title=The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|date=2010|access-date=2018-03-06|pages=77–81}}
The Cowal Way, a waymarked footpath between Tighnabruaich and Tarbet, follows the shoreline of the West Kyle, below the A8003. The West Island Way, a waymarked footpath on the Isle of Bute, follows the western shore of the East Kyle for a section of its northern loop: this section is along the A886. Both routes are officially designated as being among Scotland's Great Trails.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotlandsgreattrails.com/|title=Scotland's Great Trails|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=30 September 2020}}
The Kyles form part of an area marketed for tourism purposes as "Argyll's Secret Coast".{{cite web|url=http://www.argyllsecretcoast.co.uk/join.php|title=Join Us|publisher=Argyll's Secret Coast|access-date=2018-04-11}}
Conservation
The area is designated as the Kyles of Bute National Scenic Area, one of the forty such areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/national-scenic-areas|title=National Scenic Areas|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=30 September 2020}} The designated area covers {{convert|5739|ha|abbr=on}} in total, of which {{convert|4723|ha|abbr=on}} is on land, with a further {{convert|1016|ha|abbr=on}} being marine (i.e. below low tide level),{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Areas/maps|title=National Scenic Areas - Maps|publisher=SNH|date=2010-12-20|access-date=2018-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140337/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Areas/maps|archive-date=2018-06-12|url-status=dead}} and includes land on Bute and the Cowal peninsula, extending to take in the surroundings of Loch Riddon.{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/9134|title=Kyles of Bute NSA|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=30 September 2020}}
Bird species that can regularly be seen in the Kyles include eider ducks, oystercatchers and herons.
One of the Burnt Islands, Eilean Buidhe, is the site of the remains of a circular vitrified fort about {{convert|19.5|m|abbr=on}} in diameter. The remaining walls stand up to {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} on the eastern side of the site.{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40458/eilean-buidhe|title=Eilean Buidhe|publisher=Historic Environment Scotland|access-date=2018-04-10}} Further north, Eilean Dearg in Loch Riddon is the site of a Medieval castle that was destroyed by naval action during Argyll's Rising in 1685.{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/40448/eilean-dearg-loch-ruel|title=Eilean Dearg, Loch Ruel|publisher=Historic Environment Scotland|access-date=2018-04-12}}Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. {{ISBN|1-84195-454-3}}. p. 26
Ownership
File:Kyles-of-bute-2013-10-12.jpg
The eastern shores of the East Kyle forms the Ardentraive Estate, which is owned by the Mount Stuart Trust,{{cite web|url=http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/property.php?p=3103|title=Property Page: Ardentraive|publisher=Who Owns Scotland|date=2005-08-16|access-date=2018-04-11}} which also owns Mount Stuart House, and most of the Isle of Bute (including the eastern shoreline of the West Kyle).{{cite web|url=http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/property.php?p=4025|title=Property Page: Isle of Bute|publisher=Who Owns Scotland|date=2002-12-20|access-date=2018-04-11}} The Mount Stuart Trust is still largely controlled by the family of the Marquess of Bute, the Crichton-Stuarts.{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/SC118464/officers|title=Mount Stuart Trust: People|publisher=Companies House|access-date=2018-04-11}}
The Rhubodach estate on Bute, which includes the western shoreline of the East Kyle was formerly owner by actor and director Lord Attenborough.{{cite web|url=http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/property.php?p=4043|title=Property Page: Rhubodach|publisher=Who Owns Scotland|date=2005-08-14|access-date=2018-04-11}} In August 2009 he placed {{convert|2012|acre|km2}} estate up for sale, and a referendum carried out on 12 February 2010 showed 93% of islanders supported a plan land to buy the land for the community.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8512931.stm | work=BBC News | title=Ballot backs Attenborough buyout | date=2010-02-12 | access-date=2010-05-22}} In January 2011 he sold the estate, which consists mostly of forest for the reduced fee of £1.48 million.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Simon|title=Richard Attenborough seeks compensation after he is forced to sell Scottish estate at knock-down price|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8276933/Richard-Attenborough-seeks-compensation-after-he-is-forced-to-sell-Scottish-estate-at-knock-down-price.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=23 Jan 2011}} The Rhubodach estate is now owned by the Bute Community Land Company, a charitable company formed by residents living on the island.{{cite web|url=http://www.buteforest.com/|title=Bute Forest|publisher=Bute Forest|date=2018|access-date=2018-04-11}} The main landowner on the western shoreline of the West Kyle is the Ardlamont Forest, which as of 2002 was owned by Loch Lomond Distillery.{{cite web|url=http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/property.php?p=3318|title=Property Page: Ardlamont Forest|publisher=Who Owns Scotland|date=2002-08-21|access-date=2018-04-11}} A viewpoint and indicator on the A8003 road overlooking the Kyles belongs to the National Trust for Scotland.National Trust for Scotland. 2018 Guide. p.117
Gallery
File:Kyles of Bute - geograph.org.uk - 616059.jpg|Kyles of Bute
File:Caladh harbour light (3537878307).jpg|Caladh harbour light
File:Burnt Islands Kyles of Bute.jpg|Burnt Islands Kyles of Bute
File:Admiralty Chart No 1906 Kyles of Bute and Inchmarnock Water, Published 1956.jpg|Admiralty Chart No 1906 Kyles of Bute and Inchmarnock Water
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{oscoor gbx|NS 00932 75353}}
- [https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/the-kyles-of-bute-p2571441/ Visit Scotland, Kyles of Bute - Official Webpage]
- [https://www.wildaboutargyll.co.uk/visit/dunoon-cowal/ Wild About Argyll, Dunoon and Cowal - Official Webpage]
- [https://www.kylesathletic.com/ Kyles Athletic Shinty Club - Official Webpage]
{{Navboxes
|list=
{{River Clyde}}
{{Islands of the Clyde}}
{{aquatic ecosystem topics|expanded=General components and freshwater ecosystems}}
{{coastal geography}}
{{NSAs in Scotland}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland|Scottish islands|Geography|Ecology|Environment}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kyles Of Bute}}
Category:National scenic areas of Scotland
Category:Landforms of Argyll and Bute