The County of Bute, or Buteshire, was a county within the Firth of Clyde, consisting of the seven inhabited islands of Bute, Arran, Great Cumbrae, Little Cumbrae, Holy Isle, Pladda and Inchmarnock, and including the burghs of Millport and Rothesay. Bute County Council was established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, taking over powers from the Commissioners of Supply, County Road Trust, and other local authorities. The County Council was abolished in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973, and the former county became part of Strathclyde Region. In 1996, on the abolition of Strathclyde Regional Council, the area which formerly constituted Bute County was divided. Bute and Inchmarnock are currently administered by Argyll and Bute Council; while Arran, the Cumbraes Holy Isle and Pladda are administered by North Ayrshire Council.

Archive services
Further information about these archives can be found in the SCAN Directory.
Argyll & Bute Council Archives
Ayrshire Archives
Glasgow City Archives
Glasgow University Archives Services
Mount Stuart Archives

Local studies libraries
Argyll & Bute Library Service: Local Collection, Dunoon
North Ayrshire Libraries: Local History Library, Ardrossan

Family History Societies
Largs & North Ayrshire Family History Society
Glasgow & South West of Scotland Family History Society

Historical records

County Council records
County Constabulary records
Medical Officer of Health reports
Vehicle Licensing Records
Valuation Rolls

Sheriffdoms
JP court records
Register of sasines
Other records