Throughout ancient times to the modern, industrial age, Bute’s appeal—its safe harbour, fresh air, fertile land, and resources has attracted marauders, settlers, visitors, and even to this day, Scottish nobility. By the 1800s, it had become a haven for wealthy Glasgow industrialists seeking escape from the grit and grime of the city life to ‘take the sea air’ and enjoy hydrotherapy, botany and outdoor activities close to nature.

The rise of railways and ferry services in the Victorian era, along with the formal introduction of Glasgow’s Trades ‘Fair Fortnight’ break, led to a surge in excited holidaymakers heading to the beach and coastal resorts like Rothesay. This tradition included a much-anticipated ferry journey across the Clyde estuary that coined the phrase “going doon the watter”. The huge crowds also included popular entertainers who wanted to make the most of the festivities and opportunity to reach large, enthusiastic audiences.

However, the economic crash of the 1920’s and years of recession that followed had a cumulative effect on the island’s tourism economy. Given the economic challenges, and the prospect of the island’s growing decline in 1934, Rothesay Burgh Council proposed a solution to establish a stunning new focal point for ‘public recreation’ that would strengthen island appeal —and so the idea of a Pavilion was born, that had to be something truly special.

In 1934 when the industrial and architectural landscape was undergoing a profound change shift in design, production and taste the Royal Burgh Council held a national competition to design a modern-day Pavilion.. At that time architects and craft makers were drawing fresh inspiration from avant-garde art movements in Europe and North America.

Bold structures, shapes and new ideas formed to create buildings and product designs with new materials that were both artistic and functional. This mix of creativity, style and usefulness became the hallmark of a new era in architecture and the beginning of a design movement called International Modernism whose influence stands the test of time today..

The architectural design brief for Rothesay Pavilion aimed to cater for a year-round range of public activities – dances, functions, conferences, as well as sports and recreation of various kinds. The winning design came from James and James Andrew Carrick, a father and son architectural practice from Ayr in Scotland. Guided by their combined professional interest in traditional arts and crafts, and modern avant guard influences from travel and education in Europe, their entry impressed the judges with its bold shapes, stand out modern design and practicality.

During the heydays of the 40’s and 50’s the Pavilion was a bustling hive of activity. With music hall, comedy theatre, dancing and sports, the Pavilion played host to royal dignitaries, beauty pageants, festivals and celebrations, business, trade union conferences and meetings,. Canadian navy and servicemen billeted in Rothesay during WW2 received an especially warm welcome!

Throughout the Summer it was a heady mixture of popular seaside entertainment, local community dances, events and festivals.

However, during the 1960s and 1970s as car ownership and foreign holidays became more widespread, these changing holiday trends meant a decline in visitor numbers that hit Bute’s tourism industries hard. Many other attractions in the town closed down and people moved away to seek work elsewhere. Although over the years Pavilion managed to survive, largely due to its ongoing importance to the local community until, after years of decline, in  2010 this Grade A Listed faded architectural masterpiece was put on the Historic Environment Scotland ‘Buildings at Risk’ register under threat of extinction, until now…

Draft copy about what will go on in the building – activities for every generation, fun, confidence, purpose, new experiences…

Draft copy about the Pavilion as an anchor institution a new model of working together long term building capacity and resilience amongst community and community interest groups & potentially one of the largest community interest companies in Scotland

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