The Bute Railway

The Bute Railway was a short, narrow-gauge railway that operated on the Isle of Bute in Scotland from the late 19th to early 20th century. Designed primarily to serve the island’s industries, such as agriculture and quarrying, it provided transportation for goods and passengers across the island. The railway connected key locations, including Rothesay, and contributed to local development. Its narrow gauge allowed for cost-effective construction and operation in the varied terrain. The Bute Railway eventually closed as road transport became more dominant, but it played an important role in Bute’s industrial and social history.