Bute Fest

About Bute Fest

After a planned 2026 break, Bute Fest 2027 returns to Ettrick Bay, Isle of Bute from 23–25 July as a music festival with folk, indie and rock in its genre mix.

It began in 2015. A third-party festival listing puts daily capacity at 2,000.

Lineup and Programme

The format is three stages. Genre tags in the verified data run from folk and indie to rock, pop, blues, Americana, alternative, traditional Scottish music and reggae.

The family fringe adds a disco plus craft workshops for children and adults. Circus and fringe entertainment, food stalls and bars also sit within the programme.

Who Is It For?

The official site describes Bute Fest as family-friendly, with fun for all ages and family-and-fringe programming for children and adults.

Challenge 25 applies at bars. Proof of age may be requested, and supplying alcohol to anyone under 18 is prohibited.

The Venue and Site

Ettrick Bay anchors the site. On-site camping covers tents, live-in vehicles, family camping and accessible camping, with cars kept out of the campsite.

Welfare tents operate 24 hours in the arena and campsite, with first aid beside welfare, toilets in the campsite and water points on site. Phone charging is available at welfare and in the Ettrick Bay tearoom.

Dogs are allowed, but not in the music marquees or family area.

Travel

Wemyss Bay is the mainland rail and ferry point for Bute Fest, with the site reached via Rothesay and onward roads to Ettrick Bay.

• Nearest station: Wemyss Bay station.
• From Glasgow: just over 30 miles to Wemyss Bay ferry terminal; the official information gives about 45 minutes by road and about 35 minutes for the ferry crossing to Rothesay.
• Road access: M8 towards Greenock to Wemyss Bay ferry terminal, then A844 to Ettrick Bay via Rothesay, Port Bannatyne and Kames Bay. The B875 is also used for access to Ettrick Bay.
• Parking: cars are not allowed on the campsite and are directed to the relevant car park. Once caravans are parked, cars must be removed to the car park.