FERRY HOP TO CREAR VIA THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF BUTE

First stop is this architectural gem on the west coast of Scotland, often called most beautiful station in the UK! It has the most stunning curved glass and iron structure, and was built as the interchange terminal between the Rothesay steamer ferries and the steam trains from Glasgow. Wenyss Bay has frequent train services to Glasgow. 

The gorgeous walkway from the station down to the ferry terminal was designed by James Miller and enabled a whole train of happy daytrippers and holidaymakers to disembark, trundle down the platform with their luggage and stream on to the ferry in just a few minutes. That’s why there’s hardly a single right angle in the building – it’s all gentle curves – to carefully guide large crowds of people along without impeding their flow. 

What’s even less well known about this station is that it’s full of international influences. Not only is the long, wide sweeping corner-less design inspired by then-modern stations in the USA, but there’s an Italianate feel to the clock tower, perhaps a little French Renaissance to the road-side elevation – and even Japanese pagoda turrets on the end of the pier building.

It’s an architectural theme park! 

Inside, design inspired by astrology, art and mythology dazzles. See a map of the stars on the ceiling of the Marble Hall. Take the spiral staircase to what is believed to be the world’s first domestic heated swimming pool. This house is filled with innovations – from an early telephone system to the Victorian passenger lift.