The Serpentine Hill climb in Rothesay was always a highlight at the end of the cycling season. It was short, tricky and explosive and you could see the whole course as a spectator. It wasn't just a hill climb, as you needed the skill to hold the correct line and speed around the corners. On this course I was the only rider to go under 1 minute and still hold that record today!

''I've been a regular visitor since I was a wee boy and I've been in love with the island since the first time I stepped off the Waverley in 1967. There's always a sense of coming home whenever I arrive on Bute.''

''My traditional wedding was the best day of my life.''

''Bute is a welcoming community with endless adventures for small feet.''

''Bute is a big wee soul food of an island. Bute is heart-stirring scenery, community, creativity & culture all fused together in'tae our magical big wee island''

''Bute is unique.''

''I don't think I've laughed anywhere else as much as I have on Bute.''

'‘I remember my father, as a working man, saying you can feel all the worries and burdens of life just lifting from his shoulders as he went on that sail. I still feel it today.''

''I grew up in a working-class family in Glasgow and our holidays were often spent in Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute. I have lots of great memories of our time there as I was allowed a lot of freedom to run about. My grandad was always getting me to push my limits and try things I was scared of, like jumping off the pier and swimming to Children’s Corner. My grandad used to give me 10p to spend at Zavaroni’s chippy if I swam from the pier to the shore. I loved the fish 'n' chips shop there. When I went back 10 years ago, everything was just like I’d imagined it.''

''I now have a real sense of pride in bringing people from across the world to Bute for 'Bute Noir' and I love being able to show it off. Without fail, they're always stunned at how beautiful the setting is.''

''I enjoyed my fish and chips very much!''

"Serving Chris Pine has been a highlight. He loved his cortardos."