← Back✦ Historic site

Kames Castle

0 ha

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal

Dogs welcome0 ha

Getting here

55.86228, -5.09595

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

6 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Oystercatcher, Eider, Chaffinch +48 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Oystercatcher, Eider, Chaffinch +48 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Scaly Male-fern, Dryopteris borreri, Buckler-Fern +339 more · last seen 2017; Plants — Scaly Male-fern, Dryopteris borreri, Buckler-Fern +339 more · last seen 2017

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Water Mint, Autumn Hawkbit, Bilberry +35 more foraging species

Varies

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Painted Lady, Large White, Peacock +16 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Painted Lady, Large White, Peacock +16 more · last seen 2024

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

West Island WayWalking route48 km

Named routeLength 48 kmNational walking route

Bute Path NetworkWalking route

Named routeLocal walking route

Bute Pilgrimage Route - St BlaneWalking route

A walking pathway with accompanying notes to aid Christian reflection

Named routeRef 1Local walking route

🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Bute Cycle NetworkCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Bute Cycle NetworkMountain bike route

Named routeRef www.tzcb.org.uk

Wildlife to spot

5,140 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

5,140 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds43 species

springsummer

2025

Oystercatcher · Jackdaw · Chaffinch · Herring Gull · Carrion Crow +38

OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
JackdawColoeus monedula
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
RedshankTringa totanus
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Common GullLarus canus
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
House SparrowPasser domesticus
RobinErithacus rubecula
Great TitParus major
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2024
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2024
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
EiderSomateria mollissima
RookCorvus frugilegus
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
BlackbirdTurdus merula
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
GreenfinchChloris chloris
CurlewNumenius arquata2024
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2024
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2024
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
RavenCorvus corax2024
GannetMorus bassanus2024
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2024
Mute SwanCygnus olor2024
ShagGulosus aristotelis2024
Stock DoveColumba oenas2024
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2024

🦌

Mammals7 species

summer

2025

Hedgehog · Red Squirrel · Brown Hare · Soprano Pipistrelle · Brown Long-eared Bat +2

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
Brown HareLepus europaeus2024
Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2024
Brown Long-eared BatPlecotus auritus2024
Natterer's BatMyotis nattereri2024
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2024

🦎

Reptiles1 species

summer

2024

Common Lizard

Common LizardZootoca vivipara

🐝

Insects6 species

summer

2024

Helophilus pendulus · Eupteryx aurata · Common Red Soldier Beetle · Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi · Potato Capsid +1

Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
Eupteryx aurataEupteryx aurata
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysiGrypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi
Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula2023

🌿

Plants90 species

spring

2023

Whorled Caraway · Heath Wood-rush · Marsh Foxtail · Ficaria verna subsp. fertilis · Oval Sedge +85

Whorled CarawayTrocdaris verticillata
Heath Wood-rushLuzula multiflora
Marsh FoxtailAlopecurus geniculatus
Ficaria verna subsp. fertilisFicaria verna subsp. fertilis
Oval SedgeCarex leporina
Enchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetiana
Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa
Trichophorum germanicumTrichophorum germanicum
Pill SedgeCarex pilulifera
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris
Marsh RagwortJacobaea aquatica
Sweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratum
Marsh-bedstrawGalium palustre
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas
Ragged-RobinSilene flos-cuculi
BlinksMontia fontana
Bog StitchwortStellaria alsine
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus
Rubus pictorumRubus pictorum
Rubus hebridensisRubus hebridensis
Garden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollis
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
Marsh Hawk's-beardCrepis paludosa
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis
Bush VetchVicia sepium
Perennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensis
Creeping Soft-grassHolcus mollis
Thale CressArabidopsis thaliana
Lesser TrefoilTrifolium dubium
Star SedgeCarex echinata
Marsh WoundwortStachys palustris
Creeping Forget-me-notMyosotis secunda
Spreading Meadow-grassPoa humilis
Tufted VetchVicia cracca
Soft-bromeBromus hordeaceus
Common Cow-wheatMelampyrum pratense
Compact RushJuncus conglomeratus
Narrow Buckler-fernDryopteris carthusiana
Buck's-horn PlantainPlantago coronopus
Rough Meadow-grassPoa trivialis
Common FigwortScrophularia nodosa
Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
Heath Spotted-orchidDactylorhiza maculata
Crowberry agg.Empetrum nigrum
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
Hare's-tail CottongrassEriophorum vaginatum
Tuberous ComfreySymphytum tuberosum
Bog AsphodelNarthecium ossifragum
Cross-leaved HeathErica tetralix
Mat-grassNardus stricta
Green-ribbed SedgeCarex binervis
Western Balsam-poplarPopulus trichocarpa
Goat WillowSalix caprea
Ivy-leaved CrowfootRanunculus hederaceus
TormentilPotentilla erecta
Wood MilletMilium effusum
Prickly HeathGaultheria mucronata
AlderAlnus glutinosa
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile
Carnation SedgeCarex panicea
Heath MilkwortPolygala serpyllifolia
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus
LousewortPedicularis sylvatica
SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
Heath RushJuncus squarrosus
Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium
NipplewortLapsana communis
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis
Sticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratum
Marsh VioletViola palustris
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga
Hybrid LarchLarix decidua x kaempferi = L. x marschlinsii
Faeroes DandelionTaraxacum faeroense
Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa
Water AvensGeum rivale
Lemon-scented FernOreopteris limbosperma
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa
MoschatelAdoxa moschatellina
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua
Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense
European LarchLarix decidua
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Lesser SpearwortRanunculus flammula
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa
SalmonberryRubus spectabilis

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

5,140 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds43 species

springsummer

2025

Oystercatcher · Jackdaw · Chaffinch · Herring Gull · Carrion Crow +38

OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
JackdawColoeus monedula
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
RedshankTringa totanus
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Common GullLarus canus
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
House SparrowPasser domesticus
RobinErithacus rubecula
Great TitParus major
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2024
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2024
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
EiderSomateria mollissima
RookCorvus frugilegus
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
BlackbirdTurdus merula
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita
GoldcrestRegulus regulus
GreenfinchChloris chloris
CurlewNumenius arquata2024
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2024
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2024
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
RavenCorvus corax2024
GannetMorus bassanus2024
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2024
Mute SwanCygnus olor2024
ShagGulosus aristotelis2024
Stock DoveColumba oenas2024
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2024

🦌

Mammals7 species

summer

2025

Hedgehog · Red Squirrel · Brown Hare · Soprano Pipistrelle · Brown Long-eared Bat +2

HedgehogErinaceus europaeus
Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
Brown HareLepus europaeus2024
Soprano PipistrellePipistrellus pygmaeus2024
Brown Long-eared BatPlecotus auritus2024
Natterer's BatMyotis nattereri2024
Common PipistrellePipistrellus pipistrellus2024

🦎

Reptiles1 species

summer

2024

Common Lizard

Common LizardZootoca vivipara

🐝

Insects6 species

summer

2024

Helophilus pendulus · Eupteryx aurata · Common Red Soldier Beetle · Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi · Potato Capsid +1

Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus
Eupteryx aurataEupteryx aurata
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva
Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysiGrypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi
Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
Green Dock BeetleGastrophysa viridula2023

🌿

Plants90 species

spring

2023

Whorled Caraway · Heath Wood-rush · Marsh Foxtail · Ficaria verna subsp. fertilis · Oval Sedge +85

Whorled CarawayTrocdaris verticillata
Heath Wood-rushLuzula multiflora
Marsh FoxtailAlopecurus geniculatus
Ficaria verna subsp. fertilisFicaria verna subsp. fertilis
Oval SedgeCarex leporina
Enchanter's-nightshadeCircaea lutetiana
Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa
Trichophorum germanicumTrichophorum germanicum
Pill SedgeCarex pilulifera
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris
Marsh RagwortJacobaea aquatica
Sweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratum
Marsh-bedstrawGalium palustre
Male-fernDryopteris filix-mas
Ragged-RobinSilene flos-cuculi
BlinksMontia fontana
Bog StitchwortStellaria alsine
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus
Rubus pictorumRubus pictorum
Rubus hebridensisRubus hebridensis
Garden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollis
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
Marsh Hawk's-beardCrepis paludosa
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis
Bush VetchVicia sepium
Perennial Sow-thistleSonchus arvensis
Creeping Soft-grassHolcus mollis
Thale CressArabidopsis thaliana
Lesser TrefoilTrifolium dubium
Star SedgeCarex echinata
Marsh WoundwortStachys palustris
Creeping Forget-me-notMyosotis secunda
Spreading Meadow-grassPoa humilis
Tufted VetchVicia cracca
Soft-bromeBromus hordeaceus
Common Cow-wheatMelampyrum pratense
Compact RushJuncus conglomeratus
Narrow Buckler-fernDryopteris carthusiana
Buck's-horn PlantainPlantago coronopus
Rough Meadow-grassPoa trivialis
Common FigwortScrophularia nodosa
Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre
False Oat-grassArrhenatherum elatius
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
Heath Spotted-orchidDactylorhiza maculata
Crowberry agg.Empetrum nigrum
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
Hare's-tail CottongrassEriophorum vaginatum
Tuberous ComfreySymphytum tuberosum
Bog AsphodelNarthecium ossifragum
Cross-leaved HeathErica tetralix
Mat-grassNardus stricta
Green-ribbed SedgeCarex binervis
Western Balsam-poplarPopulus trichocarpa
Goat WillowSalix caprea
Ivy-leaved CrowfootRanunculus hederaceus
TormentilPotentilla erecta
Wood MilletMilium effusum
Prickly HeathGaultheria mucronata
AlderAlnus glutinosa
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile
Carnation SedgeCarex panicea
Heath MilkwortPolygala serpyllifolia
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus
LousewortPedicularis sylvatica
SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
Heath RushJuncus squarrosus
Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium
NipplewortLapsana communis
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis
Sticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratum
Marsh VioletViola palustris
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga
Hybrid LarchLarix decidua x kaempferi = L. x marschlinsii
Faeroes DandelionTaraxacum faeroense
Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa
Water AvensGeum rivale
Lemon-scented FernOreopteris limbosperma
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa
MoschatelAdoxa moschatellina
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua
Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense
European LarchLarix decidua
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Lesser SpearwortRanunculus flammula
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa
SalmonberryRubus spectabilis

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Rob Farrow · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bute - Kames Castle

1 / 22

Events & activities nearby

Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.

Bookable tours

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Winter GardensUrban park3.6 km→⛪PresbyReligious grounds3.8 km→✦Rothesay CastleHistoric site3.8 km→✦Mercat CrossHistoric site3.9 km→⛪St Ninian's ChurchReligious grounds1.6 km→⛪The United Church of ButeReligious grounds4.5 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: c036d128-dd83-4999-96ca-fa02664f8233