Plan your visit

UPDATE 4TH FEBRUARY: Owing to ongoing clearance works and tree surgery, unfortunately the full site remains closed to the public for the time being. Our team are doing their best to ensure that the significant number of fallen trees and hanging branches are removed and the area is made safe.

Whilst our offices remain closed to the public, you can still reach our team via phone tel: 01700 503877 or email: contactus@mountstuart.com.

We will continue to share updates via our website and social media platforms and look forward to welcoming you back to Mount Stuart once it is secure. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Mount Stuart House, Gardens and Cafe reopen to the public on 1st April 2025. Full details of our opening dates and tickets can be viewed below.

Out of season, private house tours are available Monday-Friday by prior appointment. Find out more here.

2025 Opening Dates & Tickets

• 1st April - 30th June: Open Saturday-Thursday, closed every Friday
• 1st July - 31st August: Open daily
• 1st September - 19th October: Open Saturday-Thursday, closed every Friday

Opening Times

• Gardens: 10am-5pm
• House: 11.30am-3pm (4pm closure during July & August)
• Cafe: to be confirmed
• Round-house Tickets & Shop: 10am-4pm (May-August only)
• Family Entrance Shop: 12-4pm*

*During April, September and October, the Round-house is closed and tickets can be purchased from the Family Entrance Shop which will open 10am-4pm.

House Closure Dates

On select dates throughout the season the House is closed to allow for special event preparation and delivery. On the dates listed below, the House will be closed to the public and the Gardens & Cafe will remain open as normal.

• Saturday 24th May
• Saturday 28th June
• Saturday 16th August

Exhibition dates 

Our Contemporary Visual Arts Programme runs from April - October with exhibitions in the house and grounds.

• 1 April - 19 October: Alberta Whittle, An Assembly or a ting (2024)
• Opening 14 June: Linder 
• Opening September: Thomas Abercromby

For full details as they are finalised please visit our Contemporary Visual Arts page.

Tickets

Visitors are strongly encouraged to pre-book tickets online here. Tickets are available for the House & Gardens or Gardens only. All tickets include access to our Courtyard Cafe. 

Standard tickets are non-refundable and incur a charge for any transfers. Visitors wishing more flexibility, may wish to upgrade to a Flexi Ticket as detailed below.

Car Parking

Mount Stuart Trust is committed to working towards a Greener future and we encourage visitors to travel via foot, bike or public transport where practical. Find out more in the 'Getting Here' section at the bottom of this page.

Parking is available in the designated visitor car park only, please do not park in laybys or on grass verges. Parking is charged at £4 per day and can be purchased online in advance, or on arrival at the ticket office. Please provide the make, model and vehicle registration at the time of purchase.

Mount Stuart Members are entitled to free car parking, please ensure that a valid car parking pass is displayed whilst visiting site. 

Flexi Tickets

New for 2025, we are pleased to offer Flexi Tickets which include free booking transfers or full refund, up to 24 hours in advance of the visit date. Book Flexi Tickets online here.

To make any changes to an existing Flexi Ticket booking, please email the team at contactus@mountstuart.com quoting your full name, visit date and booking reference or postcode.

Getting Here

Mount Stuart is situated on the Isle of Bute, Scotland's most accessible west coast island. 

By Public Transport

All visitors who arrive at Mount Stuart via foot, bike or bus, are entitled to a 10% discount on House & Gardens admission. Please quote discount code CARFREE when purchasing tickets.

• Train - Scotrail operate regular train services between Glasgow Central and Wemyss Bay ferry terminal, ferries to Bute depart from the same station. There are no trains on the Isle of Bute.
   
• Bus - McGills operate regular bus services between Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station and Largs (services 901, 906, 906X), buses stop directly at Wemyss Bay ferry terminal. West Coast Motors operate bus services on Bute and the 90/490 services run directly to Mount Stuart from opposite Rothesay ferry terminal.
   
• Ferry - Calmac Ferries operate two routes to Bute: Wemyss Bay- Rothesay (crossing time 35 minutes) and Colintraive-Rhubodach (crossing time 5 minutes). Wemyss Bay-Rothesay is the main route to the island and tickets can be booked online in advance via Calmac's website. If you are arriving by car and prefer a scenic drive then we recommend the Colintraive-Rhubodach crossing.

By Car

• The postcode for sat-nav is PA20 9LR. Please be aware that sat-nav systems may take you to the main house and parking here is only for Blue Badge holders. Once you have entered the Mount Stuart grounds, please follow the directional signage.
• Cars can travel on both Calmac ferry routes. There is a pay & display car park at Wemyss Bay ferry terminal should you wish to leave your car and travel as a foot passenger.
• Car parking is available a short 5 minute walk from the main house and is charged at £4 per day. Please be aware that the car park is situated at the top of an incline and visitors with blue badges are welcome to park directly at the house (please follow signage for accessible parking and drop off). Parking is free for all Blue Badge holders.

Electric Vehicles

• Three electric car charging points are available in the main visitor car park.
• To use the chargers:
  1. Scan the QR code found on the charging point (this will take you to the Project EV app)
  2. Set up the app payment method 
  3. Start charging
• Electric car charging points are also available in Rothesay town centre at Rothesay Pier and in Guildford Square.