BUTE, an island in the firth of Clyde, Scotland, separated from the coast of Argyle by a narrow winding strait, called the kyles of Bute, mostly under a mile wide, about 6 m. distant from the w. coast of Ayrshire, and 8 m. n. of Arran. It is about 16 m. long, of irregular breadth, and with an area of 60 sq. miles. The surface to the n. is high, rugged, and barren; in the center and s., it is low and undulating, and compara tively fertile. The highest point rises 875 feet. The coast is rocky and has some bays. The island has several small lakes. The climate is milder than in any other part of Scotland, and, though moist, less so than on the w. coast generally; hence, it is much resorted to by invalids. In the s. the soil is sandy; towards the n. clay predominates. Most of the arable land is under tillage, and agriculture is in a good state. The chief crops are oats, turnips, and potatoes. Pop. '71, 10,064. The principal town is Rothesay. Most of the island belongs to the marquis of Bute, whose beautiful seat,
Mount Stuart, is about 4 m. s. from Rothesay. Among the antiquities of B. are Rothesay castle, Karnes castle, Kilmorie castle, St. Blaine's chapel, Dungyle, a remark able vitrified fort on a high crag on the s.w. coast, and the Devil's caldron, a circular .erection, the original purpose of which is not well known. B. and the neighboring isles were for many centuries subject to the Norwegians.
BuTEsiiiitE, a county in the s.w. of Scotland, comprising the isles of Bute (q. v.) and Arran (q. v.), and the Cunabraes, Holy isle, Pladda, Inchmarnoch, and other smaller islands. The area of the whole, according to the ordnance survey, is 225 sq.m., or 143,977 statute acres. The pop. in 1871 was 16,977. B. returns one member to parlia ment. The county town is Rothesay, in the island of Bute.