The Maids of Bute

On a lonely coastline amid the bracken stand the Maids

Originally a tourist wheeze by the captain of a Clyde Pleasure Steamer who told his passengers the two rocks were widow women turned to stone after their fishermen husbands were lost at sea. The idea struck home and mysteriously the stones were painted in the style of women.

The mythical crew of Clyde Puffer ‘Vital Spark’ it is said used to lust after the maids encouraged by the skipper Para Handy

The tradition painting continues to this day.