Thursday 21 June (Inverkip to Rothesay)

Made use of the measured mile along the coast south of Wemyss Bay to calibrate the new log instrument, successfully we hope, then headed for Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. I remember Rothesay as a rather jolly seaside town, the traditional playground for holidaying Glaswegians, but it proved sadly disappointing, very down-at-heel and grubby. The impression was not helped by the continuous works going on in the harbour, where they are dredging and pile-driving the inner harbour to extend the marina, accompanied by gushing water being pumped out, and the all-night generators on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry opposite our berth. We did however enjoy a visit to the rather nice little Bute Castle, and of course made use of the magnificent restored Victorian toilets, gleaming temples to Thomas Crapper and Messrs Twyford. Indifferent fish and chips from Zavaroni's rounded off an indifferent stay.