island lying to the west of Scotland, being separated from Cowal, a district of Argyleshire, only by a narrow channel. In length it is about 18 miles; the broadest part from east to west is about five. Part of it is rocky and barren; but from the middle southwards, the ground is cultivated, and produces pease, oats, and barley. Here is a quarry of red stone, which the natives have used in building a fort and chapel in the neighbourhood of Rothsay, which is a very ancient royal borough, head town of the shire of Bute and Arran; but very thinly peopled, and maintained chiefly by the herring fishery, with the profits of which all the rents of this island are chiefly paid. On the north side of Rothsay, are the ruins of an ancient fort, with its drawbridge, chapel, and barracks. Here are likewise the remains of some Danish towers. The natives are healthy and industrious, speak the Erse and the dialect of the Lowlands indifferently, and profess the Protestant religion. The island is divided into two parishes, accommodated with four churches; and belongs chiefly to the earl of Bute, who possesses an elegant seat on the east side of the island. The name of this isle has by several authors, and in different periods, been very differently written, as Bote, Both, Bothe, Boot, but now generally Bute. Our ancient writers suppose that it derived its name from a cell erected therein by St Brendan, an Irish abbot who flourished in the 6th century, because in his language such a cell was called Both. It is, however, probable, that this name was of great antiquity, since we find it denominated Botis by the anonymous geographer of Ravenna. It was from very early times part of the patrimony of the Stuarts; large possessions in it were granted to Sir John Stuart, son of Robert II. by his beloved mistress Elizabeth More; and it has continued in that line to the present time.
Buteshire, comprehends the islands of Bute, Arran, the greater and lesser Cumbrae, and Inchmarncnoc. This shire and that of Caithness send a member to parliament alternately. The earl of Bute is admiral of the county, by commission from his majesty; but no way dependent on the lord high admiral of Scotland: so that if any maritime case occurs within this jurisdiction, (even crimes of as high a nature as murder or piracy), his lordship, by virtue of his powers as admiral, is sufficient judge, or he may delegate his authority to any deputies.
The following is a view of the population of this county at two different periods, taken from the Statistical History of Scotland.
| Parish | Population in 1755 | Population in 1790—1798 | |--------|------------------|-----------------------| | Bute | Rothsay | 2222 | 4032 | | | Kingarth | 998 | 727 | | Arran | Kilbride | 1369 | 2545 | | | Kilmorie | 2127 | 3259 | | Total | | 6716 | 10,563 |
Increase, 3847