One of the most easily reached Scottish islands is the lovely Bute, which is only a quick ferry journey across the Firth of Clyde away.Bute has some extraordinarily varied landscapes. From the lush, fertile and rolling hills of the island's heart to the craggy, heather-covered moorlands of the north and the delightful sandy beaches around the coastline, the island is a haven for walking, cycling, fishing and wildlife. Bute's resident population decreased by little over 10% from the 7,228 recorded in 2001 to 6,498 in 2011, while the population of Scottish islands as a whole increased by 4% to 103,702 for the year.