Bute Pride 2026 - what's happening and how can you support us? ALL EVENTS ARE FREE TO ATTEND

Bute Pride 2026: what is it, where is it, when is it, how can you help and how can you get there?

Saturday PARADE Performers Information Stalls Main Event Dog Show

Get Involved: Volunteer to decorate, be a marshal on the parade, help with the merchandise & info stall, or join the committee

Have a group who would like to walk in the Parade with us? It is free to join in - but let us know so we can best place you.

email us and check out our Contact us page

How to get to Rothesay - check out info page with all directions and modes

EVENTS

Our Performers 2026

		Bute Pride Host 2026 Ripper Moff is a UK-based international cabaret, compere & non-binary burlesque performer. Often described as a "charismatic glitterball of energy", they are a regular on the British performance circuit, frequently hosting major regional & international events & festivals. They have performed at 3 previous Bute Prides since 2021. "I love Bute Pride because it is created by the Queer community for the whole community and is built on a foundation of collaboration, education & celebration" Ripper will be doing a quiz at our informal Drop-in welcome session on Friday evening at The Anchor Tavern, Port Bannatyne Bute Yard: Host 2-10; performance 5:30 & 7:50pm DJ 8-10pm
		Tom Harlow Leading our performances at Bute Yard on 8th August for his first outing at Bute Pride is Glasgow performer Tom Harlow. Tom is an international and award-winning showboy, chanteur and MC based in Glasgow. They are the reigning Mx Burlesque Scotland and are a regular face on the Scottish cabaret scene. "I am looking forward to Bute Pride because I love spreading joy, laughter and celebrating my amazing LGBTQ+ community thru music, song and dance" Bute Yard: Tom will be opening our show with a stellar performance at 2:30pm
		Chuckie Orlagh image by @booitsbella_xx Also premiering at Bute Pride Saturday 8th August 2026 Armed with a killer comedic arsenal, Edinburgh Drag King Chuckie Orlagh is ready to sing, act and (maybe) dance his way into your heart! Crowned the Voice of Queer Scotland 2026, he serves powerhouse vocals ranging from iconic musical theatre ballads to camp disco classics. "I am looking forward to Bute Pride because I can’t wait to share queer joy in such a beautiful place!" Bute Yard: Chuckie will be giving us 2 spectacular sets at 4:10 & 6:50pm
		Charlotte Henry - Another Bute Pride debut performer Charlotte is a Glasgow / Bute based singer-songwriter who combines honest storytelling with intimate vocals. She began writing during the pandemic and grew fond of exploring new ways to expresss herself through lyrics that encapsulate her own experiences. "I am looking forward to Bute Pride to celebrate all things Pride and see lots of great dancing!" Bute Yard: Charlotte will be singing at 5pm
		Katabatic Bloom - the ever popular Band returning for their 2nd season at Bute pride! Katbatic Bloom bring funk, soul and disco to the ukelele, serving original songs drawing from our own queer experiences alongside dancefloor filling disco classics. Katabatic Bloom bring the party to every set. "We are looking forward to Bute Pride because we love to support the island Prides, it is a wonderful event and the best wee day out with our queer family!" Katabatic Bloom will be giving an informal performance at The Anchor Tavern, Port Bannatyne on Friday evening Bute Yard: They will be going Boom! for us at 6pm
		Double Nugget - a local band gracing our stage at Bute Pride 2026 for the first time - and no strangers to Rothesay or to Bute Yard. Double Nugget is an eclectic cover band from the Isle of Bute. "We are loking forward to Bute Pride because it is always a joyous sight, and a most memorable party! Double Nugget will make you melt!" Bute Yard: The popular locals with double your enjoyment at 7:10pm
		Rainbow Ukes are back for year 2 at Bute Pride! Rainbow Ukes is a community ukelele group for LGBTQIA+ people based in Glasgow: spreading radical joy through music. We jam every Wednesday night at Transmission Gallery and run a beginners group 3-4 times a year. "We are looking forward to Bute Pride because we love supporting coastal & island communities and last year was AMAZING. we can't wait to see what this year's is like" Bute Yard: The Ukes will be geein it laldy at 3:20pm

Friday 7th August - All Free to Access.

Morning / afternoon - decorating Rothesay town centre

Come along and help!

CINEMA

4:30pm -7pm: Screening of classic LGBTQ+ musical movie "Rent" venue Wintergarden Cinema (on the right as you leave the ferry).

Please be there prompt doors open fom 4:15pm

WELCOME

Anchor Tavern, Marine Road, Port Bannatyne.

8pm-late: Ripper Moff (award-winning non-binary burlesque performer & Bute Pride host) presents an evening of fun, games & humour to kick off Bute Pride proper! Joined by Tom Harlow & Katabatic Bloom doing something informal if they choose to! (otherwise Ruth our Chair will have to sing - and they tell us you do NOT want to hear that! 😂). If you are a local singer and want to warble a little tune for us - everyone is welcome..

Please note: This is an informal event, no charge for entry, and performers giving freely of their time just for fun. It won't be perfect, and space will be limited. If you are not supoportive of LGBTQ+ rights then please stay away for this one evening and give us space to enjoy our weekend in peace, free from abuse. Don't Hate Love is our tagline.

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Saturday 8th August Main Bute Pride Day (All FREE to access)

PARADE

12-1pm: gather at Isle of Bute Seasports Club (soft beverages available) and get ready for the Parade - get your face paints, stickers, whistles and flags ready

1:30pm: Parade sets off along the Prom, up past the Castle and ends at Bute Yard by 1:55pm

There will be a number of free soft drinks (flavoured water with a slight pop) provided by CANS UK. 3 different flavours will be available while stocks last - Lemon, Cherry & Apple. Drink on arrival at IBSC or tke with you to drink on the Parade - please recycle and dispose of the cans responsibly. CANS have been providing free drinks to Prides across the while of the UK since June as a gesture of support and goodwill to our community, recognising our current struggles. They are also offering a 20% promo code where you can order your own to try - or if you loved them at Pride - by using discount code PRIDE20 from the CANS website.

BUTE YARD

2-7pm: Venue: Bute Yard - Family friendly entertainment, activities & information stalls (see news page for list t/f), Kids zone in the Yurt, Quiet space in the Event Shelter, Food (Cast & Creel, Tattie Bagel & I Love Gyros) and bar open. (food may end serving by 6pm)

Running Order (subject to changes)

2:20 - welcome

2:30 -3:10 - Tom Harlow

3:10- 3:20 - Speech from Erin Lux, Scottish Trans Network

3:20-4pm - Rainbow Ukes

4-4:10 - Committee

4:10-4:30 - Chuckie Orlagh

4:30: DOG SHOW Prizes

5pm-5:30 - Charlotte Henry

5:30-6 - Games Time with Ripper Moff

6-6:40pm - Katabatic Bloom

6:40-6:50 - TOMBOLA DRAW

7-10pm: Bute Yard Adult- orientated entertainment, quiet zone in the Yurt. Bar open.

6:50-7:10 - Chuckie Orlagh

7:10-7:50 - Double Nugget

7:50pm - Ripper Moff

8-10pm - Dance the Night Proudly Away - with Ripper Moff playing dance classics and requests if they can find them! interspersed with a few fun games.

10pm- late: for those with any energy left you will be most welcome at the Galatea bar round the corner from Bute Yard, or at Rabbies bar. (Not an official event or under our jurisdiction)

Our information Stalls 2026:

Market Stall - ButeLGBTQ+ Community Group ( see our main merchandise here)

Equality Network Scotland

Trans Network Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland

It Gets Better UK

Age Scotland

Rape Crisis A&B

Health & Wellbeing Network A&B

Alcohol & Drug Partnership

LEAP Sports Scotland

DOG PARADE (4pm)

For the 1st time ever we are having a little Dog Parade at Bute Yard .

Loads of you bring your pooches to our dog-friendly venue and this time we want to see the best

pooches in Pride - small prizes for best in show and all doggy participants will be awarded.

Bring your gorgeous doggoes out into the sunshine of the yard courtyard at 4:30pm for a little fun competition:

which is the best dressed pooch for Pride?

who has the waggiest tail?

who can do the best trick?

There will be a special prize for the winner of each category - and don't worry we will bring our own Judy to judge!

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Sunday 9th August - Free Recovery Events

Wellbeing with Pride Event

Join us for a few hours of recovery from everything we have gone through this past year or so - a day of mindfulness and recovery at a pleasant slow pace. Brought to you from our good friends at Bute Community Forest.

A drive to Rhubodach; a gentle walk into the forest; optional yoga session; led forest bathing session; a soundbath IN the forest - and take time to just be... and breathe. Followed by a picnic

Meet time: 11:15

Venue: Guilford Square - minibus opposite the ferry - or drive yourself , or take the local bus to Rhubodach.

Set off time - 11:30

Meet at Rhubodach Port (at Balnakailly info sign) - 12:00md walk to Balnakailly

Event times: (approx)

12:15 - introduction

12:30 - Yoga (optional gentle forest walk possible)

13:00-13:30 - Forest Bathing (amie Dow)

13:30-14:00 - Sound Bath (Alison Fell)

14:00 - Picnic (supplied)

14:45 - return to Rhubodach port

15:00-15:10 - depart for Rothesay

15:30 - 15:40 end

End of Weekend Events.

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