Rothesay Pavilion

04/09/2026

What could Town of Culture 2028 mean for Bute?
Rothesay is in the running to become the UK’s first Town of Culture 2028, with £3 million at stake for the winning town.

There are just six weeks to start turning Bute’s ideas, energy and ambition into our final submission.

So, let’s get Bute talking.

Could you host a conversation? At your club, café, workplace, school, around your kitchen table, anywhere people come together.
Groups, businesses, neighbours, young people, families and friends across the island can all take part. What could Town of Culture 2028 mean for Bute? What would you love to see happen? What’s missing? What could we create together?

Come along to one of Saturday’s information sessions to find out how the conversations will work, see the process and materials, ask questions and decide how you might take part.
Winter Gardens, Rothesay
📍 10.30–11.30am
📍 11.45am–12.30pm
Can’t make the morning? Drop into the Pavilion Annex, Bank of Ideas, 17 High Street, from 3–4pm.
Or pick up a copy of the Isle of Bute News today to find out more.

One Island. Many Voices. Shared Future.

03/09/2026

SWG3 was an important milestone for the Pavilion.

We pulled together many of those who will be essential to the Pavilion’s success.

This included artists who will exhibit there; musicians who will play there; theatre companies who will book it and tourist agencies who will promote.

The goal is simple: make sure the Pavilion opens as the community hub Rothesay deserves and misses, and takes its place as a landmark in Scotland’s cultural landscape.

To find out more about the project, click the link below.

The restoration of Rothesay Pavilion has been supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Government, the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Coastal Communities Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, alongside charitable trusts and foundations including The Robertson Trust, the Foyle Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation.

31/08/2026

What a night. 🙌

On Thursday, almost 100 of Scotland's leading voices from arts, music, tourism and entertainment joined us at SWG3 to hear more about the plans for the Pavilion and discuss its role in Scotland’s, cultural future.

With the Pavilion reopening in 2027 and Rothesay shortlisted for UK Town of Culture 2028, the conversation was filled with energy, ambition and bold thinking about what comes next.

Thanks to everyone who joined us! We’ll be sharing more from the fantastic evening this week. 👀

The restoration of Rothesay Pavilion has been supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Argyll and Bute Council, the Scottish Government, the Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal, Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Coastal Communities Fund and the European Regional Development Fund, alongside charitable trusts and foundations including The Robertson Trust, the Foyle Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation.

03/08/2026

Friday, 2–3pm. You don't want to miss this.

Professor Bruce Peter of The Glasgow School of Art is coming to Rothesay to talk Art Deco in the Jazz Age - the subject of his brilliant book and the exhibition opening here from 7th August.
'No matter whether your interest in this subject is at an academic level, or simply as a lover of the designs of this period, this comprehensive book has something in it for everyone' - Art Reviews Edinburgh.

Join us in the Pavilion Annex at the Bank of Ideas for what promises to be an engaging talk on a fascinating subject close to home.
Free entry with limited places available.

📅 7th August 2026, 2–3pm
📍 Pavilion Annex, Rothesay Pavilion

Dunoon Observer and Isle of Bute News The Real Isle Of Bute Visit Bute IBAC - Isle of Bute Artists’ Collective Mount Stuart Bute Museum Historic Environment Scotland Bute BID Architecture and Design Scotland - A&DS Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) Bute Yard

15/07/2026

Wishing our friends at Isle of Bute Artists’ Collective the best of luck as they prepare to welcome visitors to the annual Studio Trail, one of the best ways to spend a weekend on Bute!

An unmissable chance to meet our creative community in their homes, and workspaces, catch demonstrations of contemporary and traditional craft, and see, buy or even commission original work.

📍 18–19 July, 10am–5pm, free entry.

Click the link below to find out more.

Although we’re not a venue this time, Rothesay Pavilion will help play host to Bute’s artistic spirit, with space for makers, creatives and craftspeople to work, teach and showcase what they do.

Until then - please share and support the trail!

12/07/2026

It Begins On Bute!
Rothesay Pavilion wrote and led this bid to be the Town of Culture 2028 in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council, because we know what Bute has always had, creativity, talent, character, community, and this is the chance to show it on a bigger stage than we've ever had.

The £3 million prize and national recognition won't just make things bigger. It's about giving the ideas that live in our lives and everyday conversations past and present, the room to happen.

The bid is built around one idea: 2027 the Pavilion reopens, 2028 the island does. Two years, one plan, and it only works if we build it together, the local community, artists, makers, businesses, culture and leisure groups, expats, everyone from Rothesay to Port Bannatyne, Kilchattan Bay to Ascog, Kerrycroy and Kingarth.

The full programme has to be submitted in November, so the next few months are about making sure everyone on Bute has the chance to be part of this right from the start. Watch this space.

What would make Bute's bid to be Town of Culture 2028 go from "good" to "GREAT" ?

10/07/2026

A huge moment for Bute: We’re officially shortlisted for

Just 15 of almost 400 applications made the list - an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment for everyone on the island.

This recognition belongs to all of us: our communities, creatives, volunteers, businesses and partners.

We've always been rich in culture, heritage and creativity, but we're an island full of ambition too.

With Rothesay Pavilion reopening next year and so many community-led projects underway, Bute is at a genuine tipping point.

The energy is palpable, the investment is visible and the momentum is undeniable. Good things are coming.

Click the link to find out more: https://loom.ly/a8H0zpw

9 July 2026 Isle of Bute makes the shortlist for UK Town of Culture Argyll and Bute Council today welcomed the news that Bute has made the shortlist for UK Town of Culture.  Bute joins 14 other shortlisted towns after nearly 400 places across the UK entered the competition.  Work will now start to...

02/07/2026

Recognition of what we’re building on Bute 💪

Proud to share our digital postcard, submitted to the as part of our bid to be UK Town of Culture 2028!

will be acquiring all submitted postcards for its collection. A special moment in the journey we are on: celebrating Bute’s people, places, community spirit - and realising its potential.

You can see our postcard and all other entries on the official UK Town of Culture Digital Map at the link in our bio.

What would your Isle of Bute postcard show and say? Let us know below 👇

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16/04/2026

Join us this weekend at the Bank of Ideas, Rothesay High Street, as we set the wheels in motion for how Bute can be part of the buzz of 2027's Tour de France.

This open ideas session is a chance to come together, collaborate, and explore what this global event could mean for the island, and - most importantly - how we can make the most of it!

Whether you’re into cycling, events, community projects.. or just have a brilliant idea to share, we’d love to see you there.

Bank of Ideas
Sunday 19 April
2–3pm

https://loom.ly/5PLk0ig

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13/04/2026

Just over 2 weeks to go until our call-out closes!

Are you an artist or creative producer ready to lead an exciting textile-led community project?

We’re looking for someone to help shape and create a lasting legacy piece for Rothesay Pavilion's grand entrance - rooted in creativity, community, and the stories of Bute. ❤️

Please tag, share, and help us spread the word!

Apply / find out more, this way → https://loom.ly/43kS1lQ

Rothesay Pavilion is inviting artists and members of the public to get involved in two new community commissions that celebrate the people and stories connected to the building.