The Isle of Bute is often been seen as a nice quiet place
to either live or come and visit. With lovely scenery and plenty of nice
beaches, it is a relatively pleasant place to live. The population is around 6,500
and although a lot are older residents there are still a lot of
younger people who live here. Outdoor activities range from bowls and shinty to
football and bridge. Indoor activities include art clubs, highland dancing, a
choir and a community brass band.
Recently a little piece of Bute, namely down at Ardbeg
Point, has been rocking to a slightly more upbeat tune with the arrival of new
owners at what was the Ardbeg Lodge, now known as The Scottish Honky Tonk.
The owners, Brody and Rima Jamieson, took over a couple of
years ago and have turned this little part of Bute into a great little house of
music, fun and food. As well as some great live music the SHT has a diner, called the
R&B Rockabilly Diner, which serves good old US style food as well as all
the usual food for the less adventurous.
They have regular live music events and this year they are
really pulling out all the stops. At the end of this month there is a Pick-upTruck Rally and then in June they are organising Bute’s first ever Gay Pride
event. Hopefully it will become a fixture for years to come, as will no doubt
many of the other events that Brody & Rima have been busy organising.
It is great to see something different here on the island
and whilst some of the events may not be to everyone’s taste, you can’t deny
that they are providing a service that many do want and enjoy.
Whilst I’ve not been down to check out the place myself yet,
(due to health issues) I have heard a lot of good things about what is going on
down there so will make an effort to get there one day.
You can find out more by checking out the Facebook pages and
also their website and if you ever come over to Bute then you have to take a
drive out of Rothesay and down to Ardbeg and check out the Scottish Honky Tonk
where you will no doubt be given a huge welcome, some great grub, some wicked moonshine and some great service!! And you may even find a visiting drag queen or two on the bill.
Check out the Welcome to Bute and What's on Bute FB pages for more details of all things related to Bute and for details of local events.
