ROTHESAY - Voyage to the Tomb of a King
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- A voyage over the Firth of Clyde from the architecturally stunning railway station at Wemyss Bay to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute.
Arriving at Rothesay, we initially explore the magnificent public toilets by the harbour. Again - and forgive me for repeating myself - we have an architecturally stunning public facility dating to the Victorian period when hoards of visitors to Rothesay poured off ferries and had a pee in luxurious surroundings. They were either on holiday or here for a day oot, and toilets were nowhere like this back home. In short, the public toilets by the harbour in Rothesay are probably the most opulent toilets in the whole world.
Pausing awhile to view the streets of Rothesay and views across Rothesay Bay towards snow-capped hills and mountains far away, we head up towards the castle.
Rothesay Castle is now open to the public. It had been shut for a long time for renovation, but is now thankfully open again.
And boy oh boy... what a castle! Rothesay Castle is quite unique in that it is circular in shape and has a moat, two features fairly unusual in Scottish castles. A trip to the Isle of Bute would be worth a day out for Rothesay Castle alone.
We then head up the High Street, by St Mary's Well, and on to St Mary's Chapel. And it is here that we find ourselves in the chancel of an early medieval church, all that remains of that church, and the burial place of knights in armour.
But there is one very special tomb in this little chapel. It bears the carving of a knight in plate armour, and above the tomb is a royal coat of arms.
It is thought that this may be the tomb of King Robert II, King of Scots, except that he is not buried here. He lies buried at Scone.
Robert may have had the tomb made for himself, but perhaps another family member lies within.
If you've never visited Rothesay, I suppose the big question is why? For the town has all the utter beauty of the Clyde Coast, from snow-capped mountains to castles and kings.
And if you HAVE visited Rothesay before, well ... ... NOW is the time to return.
Thanks Hello Ed I hope you're foot heals quickly all the best from Edinburgh.
Many thanks Peter. Only a matter of time before I have a peg-leg and a parrot. Hold on... I've already got the parrot!
Good Man Ed.
Grand video.
Sound Tipp
100% agree with your comment at the end....pills, old age. Keep walking mate. And posting great videos like this.
Cheers William.
Great video Ed, I grew up in Rothesay and I can't remember ever being in that wee chapel. We lived on the harbour front and the pier and harbour was my playground, no restrictions in those days you could go anywhere and climb about underneath the pier and watch the steamers coming and going, during the summer we were hardly ever in the house. I hope you had a nice pint or two in the Golfers!
Cheers Kyle. Yes, The Golfers Bar had some nice old features, like the snug, not often seen these days.
Very interesting video! Love the scenery and all you explanation!
Thanks Kathy.
A great video that to me back to my days in Glasgow in the sixties and making that same journey. I hope you are better soon.
Many thanks Martin. A great day out.
I’m sending to my father in Dumfries - he has lived his life celebrating being Scottish! Thank you, you are a beautiful man.
Many thanks.
Another great video. I love Bute.
I can't tell you how much it pleases me to see you to getting out and about, exploring. Taking us along on your adventures, whether a wee look here and there, or a more in depth dive into history, it's great stuff, Ed!
Many thanks.
I loved this! I did that very same journey end of July when it was a bit warmer. Loved the castle too.
Many thanks. The Isle of Bute is a cracking place.
Smashing wee video Ed, many thanks, Ian
Cheers Ian.
That was very interesting Ed. Thanks for that. I didn't know about that place. I have been to Bute quite a few times. It's a beautiful crossing & especially so under Sun & blue skies & heat, although I can see you had a very nice, if cold day, with very good wintry views. I'm a hot house plant so it's unlikely that I would be travelling in such cold weather. You did well inspite of having plantar fasciitis. Good for you.
Very nice video Eddy. Thanks so much for sharing. Take care. Lynn😎💫
Many thanks Lynn.
Thanks Eddy for a really interesting video.
Hope your recovery goes well and you can get on doing what you love.
Cheers guys.
My Sunday evening ritual of watching your calming videos. Also non-relgious and like you love visiting ancient places of worship.
St Mary's Chapel is charming. Hope the left foot eases. It is a bloody painful condition.
Cheers. Getting all sorts of advice to sort it; suspect it's time that will be the healer.
Another great video Eddie, first time we’ve commented on here, but we love them all. Fabulous stuff.
Many thanks.
Hi Eddie, thanks for the video. I share your appreciation of old churches, and some years ago your foot pain, when I used to walk on pavement a lot. Rest and Ecco walking shoes did the trick for me, and now I frolic over hill and dale with my two dogs for an hour or so daily. Hope you feel better soon!
Cheers James. I blame pavements, which often slope these days. We put more thought into the drainage of rainwater than people's feet!
Ed evetytime you show a map I cry. my dad was a cartographer, ive splendid memories of myself and him surveying, himself working on 50 inch maps on our table with all his stationary. Thank you. Great work.
Yes, I love maps. I just don't know how Ordnance Survey got their mid-19th century maps so accurate.
@@EdExploresScotland I shall ask, its a damn good question. I wonder too.
Its great your talking about Rothesay, i remember going there on holiday as a child, the weather was that hot the tarmac pavement was bubbling and my new sandshoes wore out and i had to get another pair, it was a great holiday and i remember seeing a Robinson crusoe statue good memories
Cheers June. I remember tarmac bubbling in hot days in Partick. Must have been poor quality tarmac in the old days.
plantar fasciitis eddy.yes its bloody sore and it will go away eventually.maybe a wee break from the route marches and an ice cold can of coke or beer even rolled back and forward under the affected foot can help with the pain,not a wind up and i have tried it with some success.put you foot on top of the can and roll it back and forth under the foot and roll between heel and ball of big toe.anyway im enjoying your videos and getting through your back catalogue as im a new subscriber, ps i was brought up in white street.Gaun yersel eddy.
Thanks Stewart.
Good to see you back out again 😊 I done this day trip twice last year. Arran is a beauty too 🐬🦭
Hi Audrey. Always nice going on a voyage on a ferry.
My home town and I feel very blessed to have grown up there ...free to explore the world in a beautiful safe environment...every one knew one another...unlike today.....they need to reopen the castle ..it's a haunted stunning ..when I was a young laddie I seen the ghost at one of the windows ...south end of the island is the magical part...st blanes...stone circle....dunagoil caves...ancient hill.fort..etc...view over to arran is amazing
Absolutely. A magical island where a week's holiday would not be long enough.
I love this. I was just in rothesay in terrible weather last winter and had the best time. I so enjoy your travelogues as I now live in New York
Many thanks Martin. Rothesay really is a great place to visit.
Interesting video ed.i remember one holiday in rothsey several American warships were in port .the place seemed full of sailors.while walking down the street with my young sister several some of the sailors coming towards us came over to us.guess what he gave us. You're right two packets of chewing gum.memmories .thanks ed and cheers.
Thanks Thomas.
@@EdExploresScotland cheers ed
Nice one Ed. Such a beautiful day to be out and about. I hope your foot recovers soon. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers Bryce. A voyage on a ferry really makes you think you're going somewhere special, and in the case of Rothesay that is certainly true.
@EdExploresScotland It certainly looks like a lovely place Ed
Interesting video. I was last in Rothesay in 1967. I must pay it another visit.
The ferry journey is reward enough. Absolutely stunning.
Hope your foot heals(heels)soon, Eddy, sounds sore. Never been to Rothesay, must go one day. Take care 💞
Hi Mairi. The Isle of Bute is a very special place. I always enjoy a visit.
Lovely video ed ❤
Cheers Heather.
Braw video indeed and as usual great 🎥videography it's a shame the young ones doing what they do they dont care at all that's very true us oldies could run 🏃💨rings round them in every aspect good to see the bute weather being good thanks again for that hope the foot 👟 will be sorted soon well done Ed...
Many thanks. Can't beat a voyage to Rothesay.
Glad to see you getting out a bit, must be very frustrating for you, old age is a bit of a pain but the alternative is no so good either.
Hope it gets sorted for you soon China.
Ah've ordered ma walkin' stick, ma zimmer, an' ma tartan trolley. Sorted!
Thanks Ed, a few yrs ago , i went "doon the waater " on the Waverley and visited , visited all those and i need to go back another day in the summer and do it again.
Absolutely. Hard to imagine a more stunning bit of scenery that seemed to be slowly hand-cranked by a man when on that ferry. Out of this world.
Excellent filming and narration Ed. Wemyss Bay Station and curved tunnel to the ferry is superb. An architectural marvel.
The toilets in Rothesay are stunning. We used to habituate the Glenburn Hotel. Zavaroni's fish and chip shop was always a favourite. 👍
Cheers John. It really is a great town in a magical island.
gel inserts, no question; cured my fasciitis in 6wks (oh, and cracking video, mate)
Thank you.
Hi Ed, what a great video! The cinematography was professionally done and the opening scenes leaving Wemyss Bay in particular. I know blue sky helps, but it was more than that.
Plantar Fasciitis is a bugger, I have it from time to time. You probably get lots of advice on how to fix it, here's what works for me. Using an old tennis ball or a small rubber spikey ball which is available just for that purpose, roll it under your bare feet on a daily basis. Pills won't help, physio is the solution.
Good luck and thanks ... Peter McCulloch
Cheers Peter. I submitted a self-referal physiotherapist form to the NHS. Anticipating an appointment in the year twenty-five-twenty-five.
Exactly hox mine was cured.I' sufferedso long that i was offered an operation, but the ball-under- the foot cured me.
I'm wondering where one buys a tennis ball these days. They probably come in packs of a dozen!
@@EdExploresScotland Maybe try a pet-shop, and buy a ball for a dog or whatever , As long as it's not toobig, it'll work.
Lovely film Eddie , been there , rained that day , so seeing it through your film in sunshine fab. Ball in arch of foot really does help , from one walker to another . I’m off to Loch Carron soon , train journey Beautiful .toni
Cheers Toni. A lot of folk have suggested the ball thing, or tennis ball. I don't know why I'm so sceptical.
Physio will give you these excercises with the ball , but see physio anyway . t
Absolutely. Thanks.
Thanks Ed. It’s not only the youngies addicted to phones. Having a heatwave here. 35 degrees daily. Love sharing your adventures. Val 86 Australia.
Cheers Val. Drink lots of water.
@ Playing tennis this morning. I’d rather drink beer. Ha! Ha! Ha! Val.
Enjoyed your video immensely, was there a while back and it was shut. Must return soon. Look after yourself, get the rolly thing for under your foot it worked for me. Take care and keep on.
Many thanks. It is, without question, a magical island.
Looks like you got a nice day for your journey Eddie. Rothesay looks like a bonnie wee place and well worth a visit. The photograph of Arran was breathtakingly beautiful. All the best.
Cheers. Definitely worth a day out and even a whole holiday.
Very nice Ed. A quiet jewel.
Always love a wee trip to Rothesay, Ed, although we have never actually gone inside the castle. Will definitely do this next time😊
It's a castle and a half. Definitely worth the trip.
Excellent and enjoyable video. I agree with you that a ferry journey is always an enjoyable experience. I also like a day out on the Waverley. As you say, some people are disrespectful and put their feet up on the train seats. It also annoys me that the train windows don't always align with the seats nowadays!
Thank you. We did things proper in the old days.
Thanks
Many thanks.
@@EdExploresScotlandYou are very welcome. I have been trawling through your older videos recently and thoroughly enjoying them. Keep up the brilliant work 🙂
Yes Eddie, Old age doesn't come it's self I can vouch for that, at least your foot would get a rest on the ferry, and no doubt in the local Pub on the way home. Cheers Bill
Hi Bill. My body's held up pretty well so far. I imagine I'll just wake up one morning and discover that during the night I have transformed into a wrinkled crumpled wreck.
Lovely production Ed.
Thank you.
Ed if you still have plantar fascitis try rolling your foot over a tennis ball back and forth along the floor while seated it really helps
Cheers.
Thank you, Ed, what a beautiful place. I think there will be a new disability in a few years time, phone-reader's-stoop! haha, I can't understand it. They all moan about their phones being stolen but still walk about with them in their hands 🙃😃. Memory foam soles for you - they're amazing 🤗
Agree about the special insoles
Cheers. I've got insoles, but they're not memory foam. This is maybe something I should look into. Many thanks.
@@EdExploresScotland Anytime. They're really good.
I've had that condition twice and it's agony when you first put your foot to the floor. Not good when you enjoy walking. Beautiful scenery by the way.
Cheers David. Yes, sore is the word. The weight of the camera gear doesn't help.
Great video again, Eddy. Hope the foot gets better soon!
Cheers Robert. Fingers crossed. My plan is to drink so much beer that my foot just falls off.
@EdExploresScotland 😂😂 Good plan! 👍🍻
Plantar fasciitis is no joke -- painful. Shoe/heel inserts may help. It did me and it took away a world of pain. Gorgeous location. Thank you for sharing.
Many thanks. I've been fit all my life, and this has knocked the socks off me, or whatever the phrase is. Never had so much pain. It'll heal with time; just a long time.
@@EdExploresScotland I'm of Scottish descent, so I know stubborn. I could bear it no longer. The pain drove me to the podiatrist. I think you all call them chiropodist and they were very helpful. Glad I went.
Bute-iful place
Your own homemade stinging nettle salve, magic in a jar. I use it on spine and surrounding muscles.
Greetings from Wisconsin! I just subscribed to
Another great video, Eddie. And about the kids these days, if it's not a bottle of water in their hands, it's those bloody vapes!
Thanks Stephen. I suppose it's part and parcel of getting old in that you have to look on with disbelief at the antics of the younger generation.
Thank you. Love the history.
Nice work mate i havent been there for a long long time makes me want to go back even after the seagull stole ma chips lol
Cheers Johnny. I am inclined to think we should be sorting what is clearly a serious seagull issue.
I used to have the same foot issue Ed. Avoid being barefoot or wearing flat slippers. Shoes with a higher cushioned heel like trainers or crocs help a lot. I enjoyed your video very much.
All good advice. Many thanks.
Hi Ed, look on Google maps- the castle is almost perfectly round- it's the moat and banking that are more squarish. I guess there could have been an additional defensive wall in this shape in the distant past. Nice video once again, many thanks.
'Almost' is the key word here. Take care.
Spent many happy times in Rothesay but mainly at other near skeoch woods and promenade, home was Argyll mansions Syd mckay
I don't think there's any doubt that it's a magical island.
Thanks for another enjoyable video. Was there any dates on those stones in the church?
I'm not sure to be honest. Knights in armour. Very old.
Plantar fasciitis--I suffered for three years before someone suggested I use a wee ball as a massage- tool. You put your foot liightly on the ball, and move it about gently. And stop when it hurts. Do it again and again and it'll make a big difference. Good luck!
Thanks Janet.
@@EdExploresScotland Aye, but try it!
Nice video,if you like churches and Cathedrals,consider France where fundamentally it all began🏴🇫🇷
That’s true what you said about walking, Ed. You must at all costs keep the use of your legs. Once you start losing the use of your legs ( and it creeps up on you slowly) it’s the start of a very slippery slope .
Maybe as you get older, the realisation that you are older comes suddenly, like a bolt out of the blue, and you come face to face with what faces us all. (Nice to end on a cheerful thought!) 👍
Suggest a visit to a Chiropodist/Podiatrist.A felt shoe insert would relieve the symptoms. Thanks for taking us along with you despite egocentric youths.
Cheers. Just waiting on an appointment.
''I'm not a religious man'', well there is always hope.
I think the word you were looking for is Skewwhiff.
Thanks Paul. I was definitely striving for a word, and squashied seemed about the best option.
Another great video as always Ed - if you're coming back and looking for a local guide to some of the more obscure and interesting places on Bute -let me know -for such a small island there is a lot to explore ua-cam.com/play/PLL7dHFQYR4ClLpogmKjuDjRTDOMm_MbER.html
Thanks Hugh. Yes, it's a fascinating island packed full of views and history.
The top tip for foot care is Epsom Salts.
Thank you. May just have to reboot ma foot! (Sorry - old guy humour.)
Plantar fasciitis is sore on the heal, wait till you get a bout on the back side! Stretch I was told! 😂
Oh my Goodness. Don't tell me it's going to spread!!
@@EdExploresScotland Its a local condition I think, it wont spread however I was sitting like a Peacock for a few months till it subsided - keep moving Ed. 🤩
Scotland land of the inane tannoy announcement 😅
Made me laugh, mate. Take care.
Plantar fasciitis.... Castor oil!!! Honestly, check it out !
also you could treat yoursef to a pair of boots or trainers etc with arch supports e,g skechers ortho etc.
I think I wandered into a Skechers shop once, but there were no prices on the shoes so I walked back out again.
@@EdExploresScotland you can get orthotic insoles for your boots which support your arches.anyway im off to watch your bowling video now as its a place i visit often.
Ah your a "Weems Bay man" It was always a bit of a debate whether its called "Wims Bay" or Weems bay" I'm from Greenock's east end so a "Wims Bay" man as most working class would call it, whereby those of a posher persuasion would say "Weems"
I'm sure in a past video I pronounced it WE-MICE! Bus driver put me right.
@@EdExploresScotland 😂😂
Thanks
Many thanks Howie.