History

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“Out of the rain and into a dream”

Rothesay’s Winter Garden is described by Historic Environment Scotland as “A remarkable and relatively intact example of flamboyant seaside architecture”. The cast-iron structure was built by Glasgow’s world-famous Saracen Foundry, shipped to the island and opened in 1924. This grand structure was built as a theatre to accommodate top-ranking variety shows in the summer months and performances of amateur dramatic societies in the winter. Harry Lauder and Tommy Morgan were among the many stars who gained fame from performances in the early years of the 20^th century.

Many stars of 1950s and ‘60s performed here with great success at the beginning of their careers and they never forgot Rothesay when their stars shone ever brighter. Johnny Beattie, Anne Fields, Mary Lee, Jack Milroy, Kenneth McKellar, Andy Stewart and many others returned regularly to the Winter Garden. However the advent of affordable holidays abroad in the 1970s and ‘80s put paid to the Winter Garden’s long variety summer seasons with their twice weekly change of programme and the building fell into decline.

In 1982 Argyll and Bute District Council proposed demolition despite the building’s Grade A Listed status and in the face of strenuous local opposition. Fortunately, permission to demolish was refused by the Secretary of State; a trust was established and a sizeable sum of money was raised to restore The Winter Garden as a cinema and venue for local wedding receptions, concerts, and other social gatherings.

In 2001, the Winter Garden was redeveloped by Visit Scotland to house the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre and a modernised 84-seater cinema. The future of the Winter Garden seemed assured, but in the Spring of 2024 Visit Scotland announced the closure of every Visitor Information Centre in the country. This announcement was met with widespread dismay on Bute as apart from being held in great affection by the local community the building houses the island’s only cinema.

In January 2025 The Bute Community Land Company (BCLC), which owns the island’s community forest, established a steering group to consider a community acquisition of the Winter Garden. A feasibility study has been carried out with funding from the Scottish Land Fund and a business plan produced. An application for funding to purchase the building has been made and a decision is expected before the end of 2025. In the meantime BCLC is working with Visit Scotland to continue running the cinema.

This magnificent building has had more than her fair share of near demolitions but each time the people of Bute and Scotland and beyond have rallied behind her and she has risen again and again phoenix-like from the ashes. We hope to take her forward to another exciting chapter in her story. Watch this space!

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