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A (very) brief history of Bute

6 Jun 2008
  • Photo by zak355
Here are just a few important dates from the past:

Stone Age - People arrive in boats to live over warmer months following food and seeking shelter.
Bronze Age - Stone circles are constructed.
Iron Age - Several forts including Dunagoil Fort are built.
6th century - St Blane is born on Bute where he later starts a monastery.
Late 6th Century/early 7th Century - Bute is part of Dal Riata
c.1098 - Rothesay Castle built, noted for its distinctive circular shape. It is taken by the English during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
1230 - Norwegian siege on Rothesay Castle.
1311 - Robert the Bruce reclaims Rothesay Castle.
1659 - Castle damaged by Cromwell's troops.
1685 - Duke of Argyll causes more damage to Rothesay Castle.
1719 - Second Earl of Bute builds Mount Stuart House.
c.1870 - Ascog Hall Fernery and Garden built.
1877 - Fire damages Mount Stuart House.
1961 - Rothesay Castle to be looked after by the state.
1963 - Child star Lena Zavaroni born on Isle of Bute. She becomes the youngest person to feature in the top ten of the UK album chart.
1988 - First Isle of Bute Jazz Festival.
1995 - Mount Stuart House opens to the public.

Now it's your turn!

Above are just a few important dates - there's far more to the heritage of this Island. There's a lot of interest in local history, and lots and lots of local knowledge. And here's your chance to tell everyone about it.
If you have an interest in the history of Bute - either in general or in specific points - then you can post it here.
There must be many, many pictures from throughout the 20th century - why not post them here, and ask other people what they remember?

s1bute is your site, so be one of the first to help build it!

22 Jul 2009 | 7:33:37

harry ross says

september 1945 , sossy ross was born in bridge st now the somerfield car park

24 Aug 2009 | 5:23:49

anita carrieri says

I have regularly visited the isle of Bute over the past few years and am more than impressed with the prehistoric archaeology of the island. The island is a real gem and has much scope for research. I have started to survey the numerous features (there's a lifetime to go!). Plotting their typology and location should enable us to better understand the way in which humans and the landscape have interacted over time.

This work is not with a view to producing a scholarly piece of work (Dorothy Marshall provided the best yet) but perhaps to produce a small book that is accessible to locals and tourists. (Last time I was on the island the bookshop did not stock any material relating to the prehistory of Bute).

I have recently placed an 'ad' on s1bute and am hoping that islanders (perhaps History students and staff at Rothesay Academy) might be interested in such a project.

Best Wishes

Anita Carrieri

carrieri3@hotmail.com

11 May 2010 | 3:11:16

ROSEMARY MULHOLLAND says

Harry,

Cadlehill Laundry (Rothesay's very own Steamie) was situated at the top of Bridge Street !

If you walk up Chaplehill Road, past the supermarket car park you can still see the gates to Newbie's boarding house.      

                                     xx R xx

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