St Blane's Church Walk & Blackpark Standing Stones
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Port
Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$265
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
2½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Head south on the island of Bute and drive along the coastline. Two miles south of Kingarth you’ll find the extensive ruins of St Blane’s Church. The church ruins are sheltered in a hollow near the top of a south facing slope with picturesque views across to the Isle of Arran and Holy Island. Enjoy a walk with your guide up a grassy path towards the trees on the skyline to the north-east. The walk then opens out into a wide bowl which eventually flattens out. Here you will find the church and its walled enclosures. The church has its roots in a monastery founded here in the AD 500s. It was home to St Blane who is rumored to have been buried here upon his death. The site is the best preserved of the early Christian sites on Bute. Explore the site with your guide before returning to the coach.
Just a short ride away lies another historical site. From the coach park it is a very short walk to the Blackpark Standing Stones. There are three stones remaining out of the original seven stones, each different in character. The location of these stones makes it one of the easiest prehistoric monuments in Britain to find.
Return on a different route along the beautiful rolling countryside of Bute and take in the views on your drive back to the town of Rothesay.
Please note: The tour involves up to 1 ½ miles (2 kms) of walking with slopes and uneven paths throughout. Participants should wear suitable walking shoes and dress for the weather.