Bute
an island of Scotland in the estuary of the Clyde, with an area of 60 square miles, belonging principally to the Marquis of Bute. It is about 15 miles long, and the average breadth is 3½ miles. In Kames Hill it rises to the height of 875 feet; it has several pretty lakes, the principal of which is Loch Fad, 24 miles long. Agriculture is in an advanced state, and there are about 20,000 acres under cultivation. The herring fishery is also a source of considerable profit. The only town is Rothesay, whose ancient castle is one of the interesting antiquities of the island. The climate of Bute is milder than that of almost any part of Scotland. The county of Bute comprises the islands of BUTLER Bute, Arran, Great Cumbrae, Little Cumbrae, Inchmarnock, and Pladda, with a total area of 139,658 acres, but only a small part is under cultivation.
Arran is about double the size of Bute, but the other islands belonging to the county are small. Pop. about 18,000.