Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway


The Rothesay tramway was a narrow gauge electric tramway on the Isle of Bute, Scotland.

History

The original tramway was opened in 1882 – a horse-drawn gauge tramway running from the promenade at Rothesay to Port Bannatyne.
In 1901 the tramway was bought by British Electric Traction and closed on 2 March 1902 for modernisation. It was regauged to and electrified. Some horse-drawn vehicles were re-gauged and operated a temporary service until the electrification was complete. Electric services started on 13 August 1902.
On 13 July 1905 a extension from Port Bannatyne to Ettrick Bay along a reserved right of way was opened. It had been built by Dick, Kerr & Co.
On 1 January 1914, control of the company passed to the Scottish General Transport Company.

Fleet

On 1 June 1932, the company name changed to Western Scottish Motor Traction Company, and the tramway closed on 30 September 1936.
The depot in Port Bannatyne is still in use as a bus garage.