JULY 2008
Wow! Something new to report. Last weekend we had a scooter rally at the park - dozens of tents ans scooters buzzing around the island.
There was also a sinking of a boat which had been moored in Kames Bay for some time, It has completely disappeared but the wheelhouse floated off and washed up on the beach. Photo by Craig Borland of the Buteman.
Two dredgers are now hard at work on the marina. Perhaps we will, at last, see some real progress.
I have noticed on the Gaberlunzie website that they are scheduled to play here in the village hall on Saturday 27th September. . It will be well worth getting tickets if you can make it.
HOMECOMING 2009 - 2009 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Scotland is to celibrate in a number of ways and to encourage those with Scottish roots to make the effort to visit Scotland in 2009. There will be a number of special events across the country. At this stage the plans for Bute are in their infancy but I will update with more details as they emerge.
MAY 2008
The annual Gala Day in Port Bannatyne will sadly not take place this year due to lack of helpers. However, the good news is that Port Bannatyne has its own Petanque Club which will be opened to the public on Saturday May 17th. This will be one of only 12 in Scotland and it is hoped that it will become another focal point in the village for enthusiastic players and also as a family attraction. Sets of boules can be hired from the Anchor Tavern or the Post Office.
The Squat Lobster has reinvented itself as a seafood restaurant in the hands of Karon Holloway, offering langoustines freshly caught by their own boat the MFV Wanderer and fresh fish from Tarbert in Loch Fyne. It also offers take away fish and chips.
APRIL 2008
The marina is on hold again awaiting the return of the dredger to excavate a further 20,000 tons of seabed. Ho hum!!
September 2007
The annual vilage hall concert by Gaberlunzie (traditional Scottish folk artists) was another great success.
JULY 2007
The Teapot has changed it's name to The Squat Lobster and is opening on Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer - bring your own wine!!
Last Saturday saw the return of the Vintage Tractor Rally - a magnificent sight. The weekend also hosted a Scooter Rally with several scores of scooters descending on the playing field. A small number of these visitors stretched their welcome and were a bit rowdy in the local pubs. However I think a good time was had by all despite the continueing wet weather.
A few of the flower diplays so carefully tended by The Port Bannatyne Enhancment Group were smashed by a couple of local yokels. Shame they've banished the stocks.
The Gala Day ealier in the summer was a success as usual even though the rain came on in the afternoon. Rothesay Pipe Band marched from the Memorial to the playing field - a great performance.
Progress on the marina has slowed again. Martin is busy employed on other projects on the island. A dredger spent about 3 months on site but there seems to be much more work to be done.
SEPTEMBER 2006
Well, a few things are happening here. The Teapot is changing hands, the biker weekend didn't occur this year and we have just had a brilliant music event in the village hall.
The biker weekend had to be discontinued as it got a bit out of hand last year and was so much effort to put on by 'the few' for the benefit of the many, some of whom abused the privalage.
However, the music weekend last week was superb. The folk duo Gaberlunzie returned to the Port for a stunning gig in the village hall, but this year supported by the Bute local band "Rise" who have successfully released a couple of CDs.
Gaberlunzie play traditional Scottish folk interspersed with typical humerous interludes. It was a great night with much audience participation. Rise started the night with many cover songs from Sting, the Eagles and others but their own compositions are the best. The Cds are available on the island from Bute Jewellers in Guildford Square in Rothesay.
AUGUST 2006
The annual Bute Vintage Tractor rally starts from the Port every July and this year saw a great turnout of 45 tractors plus other "vintage" road transport including an old MacBraynes coach and Harry & Iris Ellis' '67 Fiat Cinquicento. (Still ticking after all this time).
The "Chinc"
Below is Willie Reid (with Jackson, Best in Show dog at the 200th Bute Agricultural Show).
JUNE 2006
A few things have happened in the village since March. The Gala Day was a great success even though the weather was a bit cold. Rothesay Pipe Band walked down the street from the War Memorial to the park followed by the Gala Queen and her entourage. The many stalls all had a good day and a lot of money was raised by the various groups who do good work in the village. The Port Bannatyne Enhancement Group concentrate mainly on flower displays on the front and the money raised pays for plants and bulbs.
The Neighbourhood Watch Group raise money to pay for Christmas Lights and are hoping to create an area in the park for disabled children to enjoy.
St Ninian's Church in Shore Road has held its last service and has closed. The following week the chuch at Kilchatten Bay on the South end of the island also closed. A sign of the times - falling congregations and rising costs.
The Island Invasion - our annual motorcycle rally which has been held here for the past few years will not happen this year. Another victim of its own success. It has become too large and unmanagable for the small number of committee members who put in the effort to run the event. A different and smaller format is being considered for the future.
MARCH 2006
Like all residents of Bute there is a common concern over the planned windfarm for the Black Craig Hill opposite the village. Planning permission has not yet been granted but if it is then it will mean our view will be marred. There is a question over whether there is the ability to connect such a windfarm to the National Grid. Some sites have been quoted up to ten years before this can happen. Will these generators still operate after being left inoperative for such a long time? At present owners of these sites receive generous grants from the government for installation but they are not then obliged to bring them to working condition.
Photos courtesy of Dougie MacDonald