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The visit follows last year's trip to the Isles of Mull and Iona

The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to make their inaugural official trip to the Isle of Bute this Thursday, September 17.

Known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, the couple will spend the day celebrating the spirit of community, volunteering and connection that defines island life.

Their programme includes a stop in Rothesay, the town that shares their Scottish title. The visit follows last year's trip to the Isles of Mull and Iona, continuing a pattern of royal engagements across Scotland's island communities.

Environmental conservation, a cause dear to both William and Catherine, will also feature prominently during the day.

A central feature of the visit will be the Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub in Port Bannatyne, a venue with a remarkable story of community resilience.

When the pub shut its doors in 2020, its loss was keenly felt across the village.

Local residents responded by forming the Port Bannatyne Development Trust, with more than half its members hailing from the Port itself.

The Trust acquired the premises in 2021 and undertook extensive renovation work before welcoming customers back in April 2022.

An adjacent former off-licence has since been converted into a flexible community hub, hosting local groups, events and services.

During their time at the Anchor Tavern, the royal couple will speak with the residents who played a pivotal role in saving the pub and transforming it into a thriving community asset.

They will also spend time with groups that make regular use of the facilities, among them the village's dominoes club.

The visit is designed to show how seemingly small, routine social interactions can strengthen the bonds within a community and foster resilience.

After their engagements inside the venue, William and Catherine will step outside to meet members of the public who have gathered to greet them. The community-owned model has proved beneficial well beyond the pub's four walls.

Over the past year, the Trust has channelled funding into a variety of local initiatives, including the Bute Conservation Trust, which looks after walking paths across the island. Sporting and social clubs, as well as the Community Garden, have also received financial support.

Meeting those involved in protecting Bute's natural environment will form a key part of the royal programme, reflecting William and Catherine's well-known commitment to conservation.

The Anchor Tavern's success story stands as a testament to what dedicated local volunteers can achieve when a community rallies together.