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Kilchattan Bay
Kilchattan Bay - geograph.org.uk - 704780.jpg
Kilchattan Bay
Kilchattan Bay is located in Argyll and Bute
Kilchattan Bay
Kilchattan Bay
OS grid reference NS102549
Civil parish
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ISLE OF BUTE
Postcode district PA20
Dialling code 01700
Police Strathclyde
Fire Strathclyde
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
  • Argyll and Bute
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
55°45′04″N 5°01′26″W / 55.751°N 5.024°W / 55.751; -5.024

Kilchattan Bay is a small village located on the Isle of Bute in Scotland. It sits at the southern end of the island. The village is nestled at the base of a steep hill called Suidhe Chattan. This hill helps protect the village from strong westerly winds.

Kilchattan Bay faces east towards the mainland across the Firth of Clyde. To the north, there is a lovely sandy area known by locals as the Wee Bay. If you head south along the coast, you'll find the start of the West Island Way. This walking path follows the rocky shoreline and passes a lighthouse. The lighthouse marks the very southern tip of the island.

A Look Back at Kilchattan Bay's History

Kilchattan, Bute - geograph.org.uk - 83415
The village, looking south along the shore

The village gets its name from Saint Cathan, a bishop from the sixth century. He set up a quiet retreat here in the year 539 AD. His nephew was Saint Blane. A chapel was built in Saint Blane's honor in the 12th century. The ruins of St. Blane's Chapel can still be seen about a mile south of Kilchattan village today.

Kilchattan Bay first grew as a row of houses for fishermen. Later, a quarry was built, along with a stone pier (a landing place for boats). A lime kiln was also added. You can still see the lime kiln behind St. Blane's Villa. The limestone used in the kiln was dug from the hillside behind the village. Part of the old mine area is now used as a reservoir, which holds water for the village. Above the reservoir, you can find the ruined remains of Kelspoke Castle.

Steamboats and Tourism

In 1880, a new wooden pier was built. This was because the village became a regular stop for steamers. These large boats brought visitors from the big city of Glasgow. They also carried local goods, like tiles from a factory in Kingarth (which closed in 1915). The St. Blane's Hotel was built between the two piers to serve the growing number of tourists.

Over time, the steamer traffic stopped. The new wooden pier closed to regular steamers in 1955. It was used sometimes after that, but the wood eventually broke down. The pier was taken apart in 1976.

In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband visited the island. They landed on the pier from the Royal Yacht Britannia before driving through the village. The older stone pier was stronger and has been repaired. It is now the main place for boats to land.

Village Life in the Past

Kilchattan Bay used to have many shops. There was a post office, a fabric shop, a bakery, a grocery store, a greengrocer, and a cafe. There was also a tearoom right at the pier. The cafe was owned by the family of singer Lena Zavaroni.

Until the early 1970s, Kilchattan Bay was one of the last places in Scotland where milk was delivered in a special way. Residents would bring their jugs to a van and collect milk directly from a large churn inside.

Recently, a landslide has washed away part of the path. This path led from the village to the top of Suidhe Chattan hill.

Notable People Connected to Kilchattan Bay

  • Graeme Lamb - He often spent his holidays here.
  • Ken W. MacDonald - He owns a home in the village.
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