February 2025: Hedge planting at Scalpsie Farm The Bute Conservation Volunteers were delighted to spend a sunny morning helping to plant a new hedge at Scalpsie Farm.

Overgrown whins and a boggy path were making conditions unpleasant on the West Island Way. Volunteers spent the morning clearing a long stretch of whins to create solid ground for the path. Meanwhile Euan and Donald fixed a gate that had dropped because of a rotted timber post.

WEST ISLAND WAY CLOSED. Due to wild fires the West Island Way is closed between Glenmore Farm and Hilton till further notice.

Storm damage on Garrison Road path now cleared The recent major storm brought down large trees across the West Island Way path section known as the Garrison Road near Port Bannatyne. Very many thanks to the Mount Stuart Estate foresters for their good work in clearing the path.

April 2025: Asking all walkers to ‘Please close this gate’ Livestock can wander through gates left open by walkers and cause a problem for farmers. So we have added new signage to some gates. But with or without a Notice, walkers should close all gates securely behind them.

The team were hard at work this morning on the West Island Way route at the very south end of Bute. Firstly, two new waymarkers installed. Secondly, repairing a broken gate at Loch na Leighe (pictured before and after, with Billy putting the finishing touches to it).

The bridge over the Mill Burn at Kilchattan Bay was replaced only a few years ago. Sand erosion had created a drop at one end. Our volunteers constructed a new step to make life easier for walkers. Here is Jock taking a well-deserved rest after a lot of sawing and hammering!)

Our volunteers cut the grass and maintain the young trees at the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Garden at Ettrick Bay. We’ve seen the remains of several camp fires whilst trimming the grass. New signage asks campers to please avoid lighting fires in the Memorial Garden area.

Another successful completion of Bute’s ‘West Island Way’ Thanks to Nat and his son for completing the West Island Way and giving us a report on the experience. Thanks also for the Membership Donation to support the work of the Trust in looking after our paths and signage.

November 2025: Clearing fallen trees on the Suidhe Wood path Yet more damage from fallen trees! - this time across the Suidhe Wood path at Kilchattan Bay on Stage 2 of Bute’s West Island Way. Pictures are some of  team of volunteers cutting and clearing the branches.

An evening celebrating the very best of the Scottish outdoors, adventure and filmmaking, with an optional morning Community Forest Walk. Join us for the Bute screening of The Scottish Outdoor and Adventure Film Tour, in collaboration with Bute Community Forest.