Moat Rothesay Castle Rothesay Castle stands in a prominent position in the centre of the town of Rothesay on the island of Bute. It is accessible from the mainland by ferry from Wemyss Bay, south of Greenock. Immediately striking are the moat, full of water, and the very unusual circular curtain wall.
Entry is by bridge across the moat and onwards through the gatehouse into the courtyard.
Rothesay has a long and close association with the Stewarts, from whom successive stewards of the Kings of Scots were drawn from 1371. Charles, the Prince of Wales, is the present Duke of Rothesay. The building of the present castle dates to the early 13th Century and is credited to Walter, the third steward. Seizure by Norwegians followed, but further work was begun after the final defeat of the King of Norway in 1266 when the island was formally declared part of Scotland under the Treaty of Perth. The four round towers were added at this time, together with a gatehouse on the north side, facing the sea.