Port Bannatyne: West Island Way, Golf and History

Port Bannatyne can be viewed from different perspectives when planning a trip to the Isle of Bute: hiking the West Island Way, playing golf on a course with an unusual sequence of holes, and exploring history connected to the pier, harbour and Bute Hydropathic. The route and golf course can be understood through their specific structural features, while the historical details identify construction dates and uses. This can help you decide which focus best suits your travel plans.

Hiking the West Island Way

The West Island Way is a 30-mile (48 km) route divided into four stages. It ends in the north at Port Bannatyne. Its length and division into stages describe the route on two levels: its total distance and its structure. This clearly connects the town to the route as its northern endpoint.

On the Isle of Bute, the route passes rocky headlands, coastal stretches and sandy beaches, as well as moorland and farmland, and through woodland. This mix shows that the West Island Way does not run only along the coast: coastal features sit alongside landscapes in the island’s interior. If you are classifying the route by landscape type, this variety is a key feature distinguishing it from a purely coastal path.

Golf with an unusual sequence of holes

Port Bannatyne Golf Club has a unique 13-hole golf course on the Isle of Bute. The sequence of play is clearly defined: golfers first play the first 12 holes, then replay the first five, and finish the round with a separate 18th hole. The distinctive format is evident not only in the number of holes but also in how the round is structured.

This sequence gives you a specific point of reference when choosing a destination if golf is a factor. Replaying the first five holes and having a separate final hole distinguish the round from a simple sequence of different holes. Together with the 13-hole format, this makes for a clearly defined feature of the golf course on Bute.

Pier, harbour and local history

Port Bannatyne Pier was built for Duncan Hoyle of Kames and opened on 6 March 1857. During the Second World War, the Admiralty took over the pier. Support vessels used it to train crews on midget submarines; it was also used by various tugs. The construction date and later wartime use mark two distinct phases in the pier’s history.

Another wartime connection in Port Bannatyne is Bute Hydropathic. It served as the shore base for the 12th Submarine Flotilla and was named HMS Varbel. Historically, Port Bannatyne Harbour was one of the many small harbours and port facilities along the shores of the Isle of Bute. This also places the town within the island’s wider maritime context.

An island stop to include in your travel plans

Port Bannatyne is one of the island stops on the seasonal City Sightseeing Bute Tour. If you would like to include this tour in your travel plans, check the dates in advance. This will help you fit the stop around the tour’s seasonal schedule and consider it alongside hiking, golf or local history as another aspect of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kingarth, Kames, Luss, Bruichladdich, Kilbride, Lussagiven, Minard, Arrochar

For the broader travel overview: Argyll And Bute.