In pictures: Isle of Bute

One of the most enduring images of Bute is of the Waverley paddle steamer cutting across Rothesay Bay. The steamer - seen from an unusual rear angle - still runs regularly.

The new Isle of Bute Discovery Centre, formerly the Winter Garden, opened in 2001 and includes tourist and community resources such as a 90-seat theatre/cinema.

Ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne's busiest island route is to Bute - in 2005 more than 1m passengers travelled via its two routes to the island. In 1970 fewer than 500,000 travelled from the main port of Wemyss Bay to Rothesay.

"Welcome to the Lowlands": The Highland Boundary Fault passes roughly NE-SW through the middle of Bute, leaving one half in the Scottish Highlands and the other in the Lowlands.

Signs of old: There are still plenty of dilapidated buildings in Rothesay, but work has just started on renovating this building, one of the old picture houses.

The pier's Victorian toilets have had a £300,000 facelift. The fully functioning tourist attraction, costing 15p to use, has a visitors' book with entries from America to Zimbabwe.

The gothic castle and gardens at Mount Stuart - known locally as the "big house" - opened to the public in 1995 and have undergone major restoration work.

Rothesay's Art Deco Pavilion used to be the place to dance. Money is being sought to refurbish it, while keeping its current function as a town hall-style community venue.

Only a handful of prawn and scallop fishing boats remain - the industry was one of the island's most important, along with cotton and agriculture, until the early 20th century.

The late Lena Zavaroni was Rothesay's most famous home-grown star. The plaque on this tribute in the Discovery Centre reads: "So loved. Time will only enrich our memories."

Country walks and unspoiled beaches are a major selling point on Bute ... and you can sometimes get them to yourself. Pictures: BrianJollyImages

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