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EsseCamp 2025,isle of bute - OVERVIEW
Esse House is proud to present our first ever EsseCamp - taking place at a secret location on the Isle of Bute between Friday 18/07/2025 to Monday 21/07/2025 - to coincide and complement Glasgow Pride while providing an alternative to the busy crowds. There is a lot of information on this page: Please read all the information carefully and feel free to direct any questions to contact@essehouse.co.uk or use the website contact form.
We would love for you to stay the whole weekend, but how long you stay is totally up to you - pick any arrivals and departures to suit your schedule. Only free on the Saturday Night? come down for the Beach Party and leave in the morning. Want to come for the full weekend but still attend Pride in Glasgow on the Saturday? no problem, just book the extra travel arrangements. Whatever you want to do - just keep us in the loop so we know which waves you're coming and going in. To attend you just need to be a verifiable member of the gender diverse community (or their named +1) and be able to fund your travel to the meeting point near Rothesay Ferry Terminal at one of the three allocated pick-up times.
What to look forward to:
- Beautiful Campsite
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included (Menu in Itinerary)
- Hot and Cold Drinks
- Return Shuttles from Rothesay Ferry Terminal to Basecamp
- Group Wild Swimming
- Beach Games and Sports
- Sandcastle Competition
- History Tours
- Photography Hikes
- Sunset Campfires
Participation in activities is encouraged, but always optional; indeed there is so much going on that you'd be hard pushed to take part in the full itinerary (and brave - there are multiple wild swims!). While much is provided, it might not meet all your personal needs. Feel free to bring whatever you think you may require for your trip (although you do have to be able to carry it!). We will have some spare tents/sleeping bags in case of an emergency, bins on site for your rubbish, and some limited electrical recharging. There are shops on the island to purchase items, but not near the campsite.
At a bare minimum, we would suggest ensuring you have the following before you attend:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Torch and batteries
- Drinking vessel suitable for hot drinks
- Snacks and extra water
- Towel and hygiene products
- Suitable clothing and footwear
- All your tickets to travel
This is a guestlist only community event. Applications close at 22:00 on Monday 30th June 2025.
Wemyss Bay Ferry Terminal - Rothesay Ferry Terminal
All attendees will have to book a ferry ticket with operator CalMac. It is the only route onto the Isle of Bute The ferry takes around 35 minutes and cost £4.20 each way for a foot passenger. Cars cost more. Bikes must be pre-booked. Please ensure you book the right tickets for the right ferries (detailed below) and promptly arrive at the meeting point if you are relying on the shuttle service to the camp location.
Outbound to Rothesay, Isle of Bute:
1st Wave must pick either the 17:05 or 18:05 ferry departing Wemyss Bay on 18th July 2025
2nd Wave arrivals must book the ferry departing Wemyss Bay at 10:05 on 19th July 2025
3rd Wave arrivals, and those who have attended Pride and are returning to the camp, must book the ferry departing Wemyss Bay at 19:05 on 19th July 2025
Returning from Rothesay, Isle of Bute:
1st Wave departures and those who are travelling to Glasgow Pride for the day, must book the ferry departing Rothesay at 11:00 on 19th July 2025
2nd Wave departures must book the ferry departing Rothesay at 19:00 on 19th July 2025
3rd Wave departures must book the ferry departing Rothesay at 15:00 on 20th July 2025
Staying until the Monday morning? - Book the ferry departing Rothesay at 13:00 on 21st July 2025
Bike hire
BikeBute - Rothesay
Want to get out and explore the island?
To hire a bike when on the Isle of Bute - We would recommend using BikeBute based at Rothesay Ferry Terminal
EsseCamp 2025, Isle of Bute - Travel options from glasgow
Driving?
Driving?
Driving?
Drivers can arrive and set-up at any-time, but please bear in mind that vehicle parking at the camp site is limited.
Route starts at Junction 30 of the M8, where it merges with the M898. Simply change the starting destination to see your route to the ferry terminal.
Train
Driving?
Driving?
Departing: Glasgow Central
Arriving: Wemyss Bay
Journey Time: 1 Hour
Return Cost: under £25
Book tickets for your corresponding arrival and departure waves here:
Bus
Driving?
Bus
We don't recommend getting the bus because they rarely run to timetable. If you are taking the bus, please allow extra time to ensure you get to the ferry terminal at Wemyss Bay for departure.
Bus: Clydeflyer 901 or 906
Return Cost: under £15
Getting to glasgow by Public tRANSPORT
Road
Road
Road
Coaches operated by NationalExpress, and other providers, regularly arrive Glasgow Buchanan St Bus Station from all over the UK
Despite being time consuming - this will almost certainly be your cheapest option financially
A return ticket from London to Glasgow will likely set you back around £60
Rail
Road
Road
Over 100 trains into Glasgow each day serviced via Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street Stations, which are about 500m apart in central Glasgow
Likely the most flexible option: book in advance direct with the rail operator for the best deal
A return ticket from London Glasgow will set you back between £80-£100
Air
Road
Air
It will likely be quickest to fly, and you might even get a good deal with a budget airline. Glasgow (GLA) airport is just a 30 minute walk from Paisley Gilmour Street Station is just a few stops after Glasgow Central on the line to Wemyss Bay
A return flight from London to Glasgow (at the time of writing) was £89 with EasyJet
Full Itinerary for Bute EsseCamp : 18/07/2025 - 21/07/25
Register your interest here:
DAY 1 | Bute EsseCamp : 18/07/2025 - 21/07/25
18/07/2025
1st Wave: Arrival
17:45
-
19:15
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Event Details
18/07/2025
1st Wave: Arrival
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all on site to set up. Meeting point in Rothesay will be disclosed with confirmed attendees.
Ferry...
17:45
-
19:15
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
1st Wave: Set-Up Camp
18:00
-
20:15
Secret Location
Event Details
1st Wave: Set-Up Camp
Set up at Base Camp
18:00
-
20:15
Secret Location
Induction and Safety Talk 1
20:15
-
20:30
Base Camp
Event Details
Induction and Safety Talk 1
Boring, but we have to do them to ensure we all have a great time. Your patience and co-operation is appreciated. Mandatory Attendance
20:15
-
20:30
Base Camp
Beach Dinner
20:30
-
21:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
Beach Dinner
Option 1: Vegan Hot Dogs with condiments
Option 2: Roasted Chorizo and Summer Vegetables served in 2x wraps, with optional soured cream and c...
20:30
-
21:30
Beach Camp
Sunset Campfire Social
21:30
-
23:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
Sunset Campfire Social
We invite you to spend the evening meeting your fellow campers and volunteers and exploring the site, or just relax playing gaames and watch...
21:30
-
23:30
Beach Camp
DAY 2 | BUTE ESSECAMP : 19/07/2025 - 21/07/25
19/07/2025
Morning Fire and Hot Drinks
08:30
-
10:30
Base Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Morning Fire and Hot Drinks
Wake up at your own pace before warming up and chill out next to the campfire.
Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate available.
08:30
-
10:30
Base Camp
19/07/2025
Group Wild Swim
09:30
-
10:00
Sandy Bay
Event Details
19/07/2025
Group Wild Swim
Only for the brave! A bracing morning swim.
09:30
-
10:00
Sandy Bay
19/07/2025
Lazy Beach Breakfast
09:30
-
10:30
Base Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Lazy Beach Breakfast
Relax and take in the day with your choice of Bacon, Egg, Sausage, Vegan Sausage, Mushrooms and condiments stuffed into in a bread roll.
To m...
09:30
-
10:30
Base Camp
19/07/2025
1st Wave Departures
10:15
-
10:45
Facilities Area
Event Details
19/07/2025
1st Wave Departures
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all on site to set up. Meeting point in Rothesay will be disclosed with confirmed attendees.
Shut...
10:15
-
10:45
Facilities Area
19/07/2025
2nd Wave Arrival
10:45
-
11:45
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Event Details
19/07/2025
2nd Wave Arrival
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all on site to set up. Meeting point in Rothesay will be disclosed with confirmed attendees.
Ferr...
10:45
-
11:45
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
19/07/2025
History Hike A
10:45
-
12:15
Car Park
Event Details
19/07/2025
History Hike A
Guided tour to see a historic site
10:45
-
12:15
Car Park
19/07/2025
2nd Wave: Set-Up Camp
11:00
-
12:15
Secret Location
Event Details
19/07/2025
2nd Wave: Set-Up Camp
Set up at Base Camp
11:00
-
12:15
Secret Location
19/07/2025
Beach Boules Tournament
11:00
-
12:15
Sandy Bay
Event Details
19/07/2025
Beach Boules Tournament
Only one can win; but it's beach boules, so, who cares?
11:00
-
12:15
Sandy Bay
19/07/2025
Induction and Safety Talk 2
12:15
-
12:30
Base Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Induction and Safety Talk 2
Boring, but we have to do them to ensure we all have a great time. Your patience and co-operation is appreciated. Mandatory attendance for 2...
12:15
-
12:30
Base Camp
19/07/2025
Shell & Rock Race
12:30
-
13:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Shell & Rock Race
A seaside spin on the classic egg & spoon race:
- 5 minutes to find your shell and stone
- Randomly pulled heats, followed by a Grand Final.
- ...
12:30
-
13:30
Beach Camp
19/07/2025
History Hike B
13:30
-
14:30
Facilities Area
Event Details
19/07/2025
History Hike B
Guided tour to see a historic site
13:30
-
14:30
Facilities Area
19/07/2025
Picnic Lunch
14:30
-
15:30
: Base Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Picnic Lunch
Sandwiches, Crisps, Cookies, Hot and Cold Drinks.
To make catering easier - you will be sent an order form to confirm this meal choice in ad...
14:30
-
15:30
: Base Camp
19/07/2025
History Hike A
15:30
-
17:00
Car Park
Event Details
19/07/2025
History Hike A
Guided tour to see a historic site
15:30
-
17:00
Car Park
19/07/2025
Rounders
15:30
-
17:00
Base Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Rounders
2 teams, 4 bases and a bat and ball: Will you hit a home run?
15:30
-
17:00
Base Camp
19/07/2025
Sandcastle Competition
17:00
-
19:00
Sandy Bay
Event Details
19/07/2025
Sandcastle Competition
Build a masterpiece and give it a name.
17:00
-
19:00
Sandy Bay
19/07/2025
2nd Wave Departures
18:15
-
18:45
Facilities Area
Event Details
19/07/2025
2nd Wave Departures
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all to the Ferry.
Last Ferry | dep. Rothesay: 19:00 - arr. Wemyss Bay: 19:35
Shuttles to Rothesay...
18:15
-
18:45
Facilities Area
19/07/2025
Wild Swimming
18:30
-
19:30
Sandy Bay
Event Details
19/07/2025
Wild Swimming
Likely as warm as it's gunna get, so... who fancies a splash?
18:30
-
19:30
Sandy Bay
19/07/2025
Sandcastle Competition Judging
19:00
-
19:15
Sandy Bay
Event Details
19/07/2025
Sandcastle Competition Judging
Gather round and see who is crowned champion of engineering, or win a t-shirt or something
19:00
-
19:15
Sandy Bay
19/07/2025
History Hike B
19:30
-
20:30
Car Park
Event Details
19/07/2025
History Hike B
Guided tour to see a historic site
19:30
-
20:30
Car Park
19/07/2025
3rd Wave Arrivals
19:45
-
20:15
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Event Details
19/07/2025
3rd Wave Arrivals
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all on site to set up. Meeting point in Rothesay will be disclosed with confirmed attendees.
Shut...
19:45
-
20:15
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
19/07/2025
Induction and Safety Talk 3
20:15
-
20:30
Base Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Induction and Safety Talk 3
Boring, but we have to do them to ensure we all have a great time. Your patience and co-operation is appreciated. Mandatory attendance for ...
20:15
-
20:30
Base Camp
19/07/2025
Beach BBQ
20:30
-
21:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Beach BBQ
Meat Burgers and Vegetable Kebabs
Cold Drinks, Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate available.
To make catering easier - you will be sent an order for...
20:30
-
21:30
Beach Camp
19/07/2025
Quiz and Campfire Games
20:30
-
23:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
19/07/2025
Quiz and Campfire Games
Beach BBQ, Quiz and Campfire Games while we watch the sunset
20:30
-
23:30
Beach Camp
19/07/2025
Stargazing
23:30
-
00:00
Sandy Bay
Event Details
19/07/2025
Stargazing
See all the lights and enjoy the sky away from the light pollution
23:30
-
00:00
Sandy Bay
DAY 3 | BUTE ESSECAMP : 19/07/2025 - 21/07/25
It takes longer to pack down than it takes to set-up camp. Please allow plenty of time to ensure you don't miss your departure if you are leaving today
20/07/2025
Morning Fire and Hot Drinks
08:30
-
10:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Morning Fire and Hot Drinks
Wake up at your own pace before warming up and chilling out next to the campfire.
Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate available.
08:30
-
10:30
Beach Camp
20/07/2025
Group Wild Swim
09:00
-
09:30
Sandy Bay
Event Details
20/07/2025
Group Wild Swim
Only for the brave! A bracing morning swim.
09:00
-
09:30
Sandy Bay
20/07/2025
Lazy Beach Breakfast
09:30
-
10:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Lazy Beach Breakfast
Relax and take in the day with your choice of Bacon, Egg, Sausage, Vegan Sausage, Mushrooms and condiments stuffed into in a bread roll.
To m...
09:30
-
10:30
Beach Camp
20/07/2025
Photography Hike
10:45
-
13:45
Base Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Photography Hike
Grab one of the provided disposable cameras and go photograph some nature.
10:45
-
13:45
Base Camp
20/07/2025
Kickball
11:00
-
12:30
Base Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Kickball
Think baseball, but kicking a football
11:00
-
12:30
Base Camp
20/07/2025
Scavenger Hunt
12:30
-
13:30
Sandy Bay
Event Details
20/07/2025
Scavenger Hunt
You are given a list of things to find. Best thing in each category will be relevant later in the day!
12:30
-
13:30
Sandy Bay
20/07/2025
Wild Swimming & Rock-Pooling
13:00
-
14:00
Sandy Bay
Event Details
20/07/2025
Wild Swimming & Rock-Pooling
Enjoy the seaside!
13:00
-
14:00
Sandy Bay
20/07/2025
Picnic Lunch
13:30
-
14:30
Base Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Picnic Lunch
Sandwiches, Crisps, Cookies, Hot and Cold Drinks.
To make catering easier - you will be sent an order form to confirm this meal choice in ad...
13:30
-
14:30
Base Camp
20/07/2025
3rd Wave Departures
14:15
-
14:45
Facilities Area
Event Details
20/07/2025
3rd Wave Departures
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all to the ferry.
Ferry | dep. Rothesay: 15:00 - arr. Wemyss Bay: 15:35
Shuttles to Rothesay star...
14:15
-
14:45
Facilities Area
20/07/2025
Football
15:00
-
16:30
Base Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Football
Friendly, non-competitive kick-about
15:00
-
16:30
Base Camp
20/07/2025
History Hike A
15:30
-
16:30
Car Park
Event Details
20/07/2025
History Hike A
Guided tour to see a historic site
15:30
-
16:30
Car Park
20/07/2025
Rounders
17:00
-
19:00
Base Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Rounders
Hit and Run!
17:00
-
19:00
Base Camp
20/07/2025
History Hike B
17:00
-
18:00
Car Park
Event Details
20/07/2025
History Hike B
Guided tour to see a historic site
17:00
-
18:00
Car Park
20/07/2025
Wild Swimming
18:00
-
18:45
Sandy Bay
Event Details
20/07/2025
Wild Swimming
Last chance for a dip
18:00
-
18:45
Sandy Bay
20/07/2025
Final Night Dinner
19:30
-
21:00
Base Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Final Night Dinner
Option 1: Beef Burgers
Option 2: Vegan Hotdogs
Cold Drinks, Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate available.
To make catering easier - you will be sent a...
19:30
-
21:00
Base Camp
20/07/2025
Games Night
20:30
-
23:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
20/07/2025
Games Night
A game heavily influenced by the TV show "Taskmaster", followed by a selection of card based games to play in groups round the fire
20:30
-
23:30
Beach Camp
20/07/2025
Stargazing
00:00
-
00:30
Sandy Bay
Event Details
20/07/2025
Stargazing
See all the lights and enjoy the sky away from the light pollution
00:00
-
00:30
Sandy Bay
DAY 4 | BUTE ESSECAMP : 19/07/2025 - 21/07/25
21/07/2025
Morning Fire and Hot Drinks
08:00
-
10:30
Beach Camp
Event Details
21/07/2025
Morning Fire and Hot Drinks
Wake up at your own pace before warming up and chill out next to the campfire.
Tea, Coffee & Hot Chocolate available.
08:00
-
10:30
Beach Camp
21/07/2025
Group Wild Swim
09:30
-
10:00
Sandy Bay
Event Details
21/07/2025
Group Wild Swim
Only for the brave! A bracing morning swim.
09:30
-
10:00
Sandy Bay
21/07/2025
Beach Breakfast
09:30
-
10:30
Base Camp
Event Details
21/07/2025
Beach Breakfast
Relax and take in the day with your choice of Bacon, Egg, Sausage, Vegan Sausage, Mushrooms and condiments stuffed into in a bread roll.
To m...
09:30
-
10:30
Base Camp
21/07/2025
Pack-Up Camp
09:30
-
12:30
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Event Details
21/07/2025
Pack-Up Camp
Leave the site how we found it
09:30
-
12:30
Rothesay, Isle of Bute
21/07/2025
Last Departures
12:00
-
12:45
Facilities Area
Event Details
21/07/2025
Last Departures
Form and orderly queue and we will get you all on the ferry home.
Shuttles to Rothesay start at 12:30 - Last Shuttle: 12:45
Ferry | dep. Ro...
12:00
-
12:45
Facilities Area
Esse House
Esse House, Clyde Offices, 2nd Floor, 48 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1BP