Rhubodach

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}

Rhubodach is a small settlement on the north-eastern shore of the Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

{{Infobox UK place

| static_image_name = File:Rhubodach, the ferry - geograph.org.uk - 922097.jpg

| static_image_caption = MV Loch Dunvegan in the harbour of Rhubodach

| country = Scotland

| dial_code = 01700

| hide_services = yes

| constituency_westminster = Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

| constituency_scottish_parliament = Argyll and Bute

}}

The name rhubodach may come from the Gaelic rubha a' bhodaich which translates as old man's point or promontory or alternatively may be from An Rubha Bhòdaich meaning the Bute headland.{{cite web

|url = http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesP-Z.pdf#page=7

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050123095219/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesP-Z.pdf#page=7

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 23 January 2005

|title = Place names in Scotland

|page = 7

|format = PDF

|date = 2003

|author = Iain Mac an Tàilleir

|publisher = Scottish Parliament

|accessdate = 2008-01-01

|df = dmy-all

}}

Rhubodach lies at the north of Bute on the A886 road. From here a small ro-ro ferry sails the short distance over the Kyles of Bute to Colintraive in Argyll, where the A886 road continues to Strachur. The route, operated by Caledonian MacBrayne's MV Loch Dunvegan, is reputed to be one of the shortest in Scotland still in operation. The issue of whether the ferry should be replaced by a bridge is one which reappears in various discussions about Bute's economy; however, opposition stems from the resulting loss of Bute's "island status".{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12090131.bridge-to-bute-only-way-to-combat-high-ferry-fares/|title=Bridge to Bute 'only way to combat high ferry fares'|website=HeraldScotland}}

Film actor and director Richard Attenborough owned Rhubodach estate for a number of years.{{cite web

| url = http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/page_cache/bu/rhubodach.htm

| title = Rhubodach

| date = 14 August 2005

| publisher = Who owns Scotland

| accessdate = 2008-01-01

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201223/http://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/page_cache/bu/rhubodach.htm |archivedate = 2007-09-27}}

In August 2009, he placed the {{convert|2000|acre|ha|adj=on|abbr=off|sigfig=1}} estate up for sale. A referendum carried out on 12 February 2010 showed 93% of islanders supported a plan 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 | accessdate=2010-05-22}} In January 2011, he sold the estate, which included a 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}}