Bute Museum's collection of the Island's links with the past covers a period from the earliest Mesolithic stone tools and weapons to the present day.

You must come and see it in the Archaeology and History room. One case contains swords,daggers and cannon balls from Rothesay's Mediaeval castle which, incidentally, is just across a road and a moat from the museum and well worth a visit.

An island needs links to the mainland and models of steamers and other ships of the past are on show. You might have travelled here on one, the paddle steamer: Waverley. During WWII Rothesay was a Naval Base with a submarine depot ship in the bay and training facilities for the midget submarines which sank the German battleship Tirpitz. This is well represented in displays. A case showing Victorian toys will make you glad you live in the 21st Century!

If natural history and wildlife is your thing our Natural History room begins with the rocks which shape the landscape and the animals and birds which you can expect to see there. There is a touch-table with objects you can handle and at the entrance there is a common seal just asking to be stroked before you cross the island to see the real thing.

There are no refreshments available on the premises but there is a variety of cafes and restaurants within minutes of the museum.

There is a wide selection of fun items suitable for children and books for both children and adults.

Toilet facilities are available but none can cater for wheelchair users. The public library next door offers our visitors the use of their disabled facilities.

Bute museum is on an island and can be reached by car ferry from Wemyss Bay (hourly service) to Rothesayâ€"1/2 hour on passage. There is a rail and bus link to Glasgow from Wemyss bay ferry terminalâ€"1hour journey time.On arrival at Rothesay a 5 minute walk up the High street past the Castle turn right into Stuart street

Bute Museum offers children a quiz spotting objects around the displays. Prizes are posted to those with correct answers. The museum is in the heart of the town with a medieval castle a few metres away and handy for a variety of places to dine and shop not forgetting the museum's own shop with plenty of things for children to browse over. Explore the Museum before you explore the island you won't regret it! Bute Museum has wheelchair access with enough room to move around the exhibits.

If you've had fun on your family day out to Bute Museum, tell us about it your visit, so other people will know it's a great place to go as well.