Kyles of Bute

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Caladh Harbour, Kyles of Bute. Taken in the anchorage behind Eilean Dubh. The Isle of Bute can be seen in the distance.
Caladh Harbour, Kyles of Bute. Taken in the anchorage behind Eilean Dubh. The Isle of Bute can be seen in the distance.

The Kyles of Bute (Scottish Gaelic: Na Caoil Bhòdach) are a narrow sea channel which separates the northern end of the Isle of Bute from the Cowal peninsula, part of the Scottish mainland.

The narrowest strait is only some 300m across and is spanned by the Calmac ferry from Rhubodach to Colintraive.

The Kyles are split into the east and west kyles. The east kyle (An Caol an Ear) runs from Rothesay Bay north west up to the entrance to Loch Riddon. Here at the northern end of the east kyle are the Burnt Islands and the island of Eilean Dubh. The west kyle (An Caol an Iar/An Caol Ceathrach) runs from here south west, past the village of Tighnabruaich out to the Sound of Bute.

The Kyles are designated as a National Scenic Area.

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