“Island life”
As told by Kristine Watt
“The Scottish Islands have a unique appeal to visitors as it did with us 12 years ago. The slower pace of life and tranquillity you sense as you sit on a deserted beach or as you gaze from a remote hilltop. There is a lovely feeling of freedom and peace.
Our children were pre-school age 12 years ago and my husband had already started working on the island the previous year. I had worked for the NHS for many years and we made the decision to move somewhere that would suit our working life and home life balance. The Isle of Bute appeared to offer what we needed, island life although just a short ferry sail from the mainland. We didn’t know Bute very well before moving here but we both felt there was a good community spirit and a comforting safeness. There is also a feeling time has moved a little slower on Bute and had been a little forgotten about. This is really part of its appeal.
The grand Victorian period properties look out over the bay and the nostalgia for the paddle steamers sailing up and down the Clyde is kept alive with the ‘Waverly’, the last ocean-going paddle steamer and its regular sailings in the summer months. Our home is one of these period villas that look out over the sea and it has been known as St. Ebba almost since it was first built in 1875. It is part of Elysium Terrace on Mount Stuart Road. We have slowly developed our business to suit our finances and family life and it is rather a long-term project restoring the guest rooms and our separate private accommodation to the rear of the building. Most old properties on the island are part of the conservation area and many are listed properties which obviously can makes restoration work a little more difficult at times. Restoring the St. Ebba house and garden has certainly been an uphill climb. Adapting to a new career and way of life was difficult for a few years although I would definitely not choose to go back to our old life. Being Proprietor of a B&B seems to really suit me!
I think what makes St. Ebba unique is our ability to capture the relaxed peace that Bute offers within the house and that we enjoy doing it! I have always felt it was important to make the most of local produce and I enjoy providing a locally sourced breakfast to guests. Bute does have a wealth of local produce and this continues to grow as new people and new talents move on to the island.
The lounge of St. Ebba is the perfect place to relax, to sit by the log stove and enjoy the fabulous unrestricted views across Rothesay Bay onto the Cowal Peninsula and Loch Striven. On warmer summer evenings you’re able to enjoy the magic of sitting in the garden in front of the house and soak up the activity on the water and watch the wonderful sunset. Not forgetting a fantastic view of ‘The Waverly’ from St Ebba, as it sails past Rothesay pier almost daily over the summer months.
Visitors have been arriving at Rothesay pier on the Isle of Bute for hundreds of years to enjoy the simple relaxing environment. And today we are proud to continue this tradition, sharing our family home with guests from around the world and welcoming them to St Ebba B&B on the wonderful Isle of Bute”
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