Mount Stuart, Scotland, United Kingdom
Today was to be my second biking day in Scotland after my rainsoaked day biking in Orkney. I was going to do a day trip from Glasgow to Bute Island which houses the luxurious mansion Mount Stuart built by a wealthy industrialist. I also had to time it due to the hourly ferry each way was going to waste time and eat up the day
I had arranged an online bike rental from GearBikes.com in the Northwest of the city which would mean I would have to take the Glasgow Subway to get there. However they open at 10am and close 6pm which gives me a narrow window to get to Bute Island and back with the train and hourly ferry.
I found out my hotel The Social Hub also does bike rentals for 12 pounds flat for the day which was cheaper than the 20 pounds I had paid online to book with GearBikes. I tried to cancel with them but it was too short notice so at least let them know not to wait for me.
I had purchased return train tickets online so made my way to Glasgow Central station to catch the 7.47am train. The reception in the hotel wasnt sure how to rent the bikes and what forms to fill out so that was wasting time but I narrowly made it. The train carriage was busy with other bikes this Saturday morning heading out
The train ends at Wemyss Bay where you transfer to the ferry. First I lined up with other passengers but they told me bikes had to go to the car deck to board.
I had paid for my return ferry ticket online with Caledonian MacBrayne. Ticket was 7.60 pound return including bike which is free but you have to inform
The morning ferry was busy with many farmer taking tractors across
We had good weather but the amount of hills and small mountains was going to make interior cycling a challenge as I was stuck on rolling hills in Orkney
Getting off there were lots of fumes from the tractors
I had discovered the brakes were not working as the brake clamps had detached from the cable so I had to fix by hand without any tools
Rothesay Castle is just across from the port but I opted not to pay the 7.50 pounds entry but to focus on Mount Stuart
The short cut thru the town was leading to big hills so I decided to go back to the flat longer coastal road.
It was mostly deserted and had a pavement along the road to keep me away from the passing cars. It was about a 5 mile distance so you have to remember to double for kms and not be thrown off
It was very scenic. Finally I reached a direction sign to Mount Stuart
You then go along private roads to get to the main house. Fortunately they had bike racks which was my next worry as most people come by car or bus
Entrance was 17 pounds and I had to wait another hour for the 11.30am opening so had time to take pictures from the outside
Interior will be on a separate entry on the main Scotland & Orkney Blog - http://v2.travelark.org/travel-blog-entry/londone7/57/1725494628
I left by 12.15pm and was hoping to make it back for the 1pm ferry. The ferry runs hourly and I didnt want to get caught in the afternoon rains
The ferry was just boarding at 12.50pm and I had time to sit and rest for the ride back
At Wemyss Bay I then had to wait for the train back to Glasgow.
Unlike this morning the bike carriage was not busy. All the disgusting people had left their trash in the seats which I cleaned up for a few rows.
At Glasgow Central station I then did a short biking tour around Glasgow City Centre. I had the bike for the day but wanted to go back to the hotel to rest.
See also Vlog of Glasgow to Bute Island Biking - https://youtu.be/J0K8I16REcc
2025-05-22