a town in the isle and county of Bute, in Scotland. It is the capital of the county, is a well-built town of small houses, contains above 5000 inhabitants, and is within these few years much improved. It has a good pier, and is seated at the bottom of a fine bay, whose mouth lies exactly opposite to Loch Steven in Cowal. Here is a fine depth of water, a secure retreat, and a ready navigation down the firth for an export trade. Magazines of goods for foreign parts might be most advantageously erected here. The spinning of yarn has been long carried on in Rothsay, and lately the cotton manufacture has been introduced. The herring fishery has been also long a great source of trade in this place. W. Long. 4. 45. N. Lat. 55. 50.

Rothsay gives to the prince of Scotland the title of Duke, which was formerly accompanied with suitable revenues, powers, and privileges. It was bestowed on the prince in 1398, when John of Gaunt, who is styled John Duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster, uncle to the king of England, and David, who was previously styled earl of Carrick, eldest son of the king of Scotland, met for the purpose of settling the borders, and terminating all matters in dispute. In this way it is supposed the title of Duke was introduced into Scotland.

ROTTBOELLIA, a genus of plants belonging to the triandrin class. See Botany Index.