A SCOTTISH island has become home to a new independent market, with a variety of local artisan goods and homemade food and drink on offer to visitors.

The market – which features well known local brands such as the Isle of Bute Smokehouse – is expected to be a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike.

Bute Yard, located in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, hosts a number of permanent vendors, with local businesses also taking up several guest spots each month.

The market, which is free to attend, has a wide variety of locally made food and drink on offer, including Isle of Bute Smokehouse, which dates back to 1888.


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The Isle of Bute Distillery is also based permanently at Bute Yard, where they distil their award-winning gin and rum.

Visitors can also enjoy a selection of craft lagers, IPAs and pale ales in the market’s taproom, which is run by Bute Brew Co and is brewed on-site.

The site features an outdoor courtyard where visitors can relax and enjoy locally made food, such as burgers, seafood and quesadillas.

In addition to local food and drink producers, other permanent vendors include arts and crafts specialists selling a wide variety of artisanal goods such as cheeses, hand-made bags, and homeware.

The National:

Guest vendors have been announced for the next two markets where visitors can expect homemade chocolate, fresh flowers, home baking, soy wax melts, as well as a stall run by local artist Liz Wren.

Bute Yard is situated just around the corner from St Bruix Fair, a historic market site which dates back to the 16th century, showcasing the island’s longstanding commitment to hospitality.

The island is easily accessible to visitors across central Scotland, with train links from Glasgow to the nearby Wemyss Bay, and a short 40-minute ferry from there to Bute.

The market, which is dog-friendly, will be running on the first Sunday of every month.

The next date the market will take place is Sunday 6 August, from 10am-4pm.