The wee island accessible from Glasgow with stunning beaches, a festival and even a gin garden

The sun is back, and with it warmer weather, longer days and the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy our wee country.

With the summer not too far off, it's the perfect time to get some epic day trips planned.

While a trip to the beautiful villages of the east coast is always a draw and the stunning scenery around Loch Lomond is always calling, there is always time for a wee trip 'Doon the Watter' to the Ayrshire coast and beyond for some truly memorable times.

And if there is one island that most Glaswegians will know that really does deserve to be rediscovered then it is the absolutely brilliant Isle of Bute.

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One of the most loved and best-known of the Firth of Clyde islands – alongside the smaller home of Millport - Bute, has been a favourite of Glaswegian day trippers for generations.

But let's face it, most of us now often overlook it as a destination in favour of the bigger islands like Arran – but in reality, it's only gotten better.

With a music festival, beaches aplenty and even a distillery complete with an outdoor 'gin garden', there's now a lot more to do than just cycling around the island.

The island is easily accessible by ferry from Wemyss Bay, taking just over half an hour to cross to Rothesay, and is well worth a revisit.

This summer, the island plays host to ButeFest (July 26-28) among the beautiful surrounds of Ettrick Bay, with this year's pirate-themed event set to play host to over 40 bands including Calum Beattie and Talisk.

The non-stop weekend of live music and family-friendly entertainment also sees a circus and disco on offer with tickets are available from the website.

The beaches dotted about the island are also perfect for soaking up the rays on sunny days, and ideal for entertaining the kids or wearing out excitable dogs.

Check out the likes of the aforementioned Ettrick Bay with its golden sands and spectacular views out to Arran or the seal-spotting hotspot that is the beautiful and secluded Scalpsie Bay.

Not only that but food and drink fans will be delighted to explore the island's many great hotels, cafes, bars and restaurants with the likes of The Kingarth Hotel and Smiddy Bar well loved.

Not only that you can stop off at the island's very own gin distillery (home of the world's first oyster gin – which is much tastier than it sounds) to enjoy a wee G and T or cocktail in the vibrant surroundings of the distillery's own gin garden.

And that's not all with opulent country houses (Mount Stuart), striking castles (Rothesay Castle) and even standing stones, you won't be bored at any point of your trip.

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