Prince William and Kate set for special first visit to the Isle of Bute

Prince William and Kate are set to make their first official visit to the Isle of Bute this week.

The royal couple are preparing to spend a day immersed in the island community and the people who keep it thriving.

The Prince and Princess of Wales will travel to Bute on Thursday, 17 September, where they will carry out a series of engagements celebrating community spirit, volunteering and the close-knit connections that shape island life.

Last year they visited the Isles of Mull and Iona, continuing their interest in Scotland’s island communities and the people who live and work there.

The pub that became a community lifeline

One of the most personal stops will come at the Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub in Port Bannatyne, where the future King and Queen will hear how local residents rallied together after the village pub closed its doors in 2020.

Rather than allow the much-loved meeting place to disappear, residents formed the Port Bannatyne Development Trust, with more than half of its members coming from the village itself.

The trust purchased the premises in 2021 before carrying out extensive renovation work. 

During their visit, William and Kate will meet some of the residents who helped rescue the pub and hear about the work that went into turning it into a valuable community resource.