
Syrian refugee families have been given a warm welcome as they arrived at their new homes on a tiny Scottish island earlier today.

The Isle of Bute, on the Cowal peninsular, is due to welcome 15 Syrian families as part of the government's plan to give take in 20,000 refugees in the UK by 2020.

Bute has been nicknamed the 'Madeira of Scotland' and the late Lord Richard Attenborough, and Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovic have had homes there.

The families set sail from Gourock after flying into Glasgow last night. Argyll and Bute Council leader Dick Walsh told the Daily Record: 'I have been incredibly encouraged by the overwhelming response from our local communities who are equally moved by this desperate situation and who have come forward to offer their assistance in a multitude of ways.'

The picturesque island will welcome the families by staging a community screening of the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life later this month.

The island has a population of just 6,498 which swells in the Summer months due to tourism.

David Cameron announced at the start of September that Britain would 'live up to its moral responsibility' by taking 20,000 refugees from the camps on the borders of Syria by the end of the current parliament in 2020.

Syrian refugee families arrive at their new homes on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, and are given a warm welcome by residents

The Isle of Bute is due to welcome 15 Syrian Refugee families as part of the governments plant to give refuge to 20,000 refugees in the UK by 2020

The Isle of Bute, on the Cowal peninsular, has a population of 6,498 which swells in the Summer months due to tourism

The families set sail from Gourock after flying into Glasgow last night, and today made their way to Rothersay on the island

Around 15 families are due to set up home on Bute, including 50 children. The picturesque island will welcome the families by staging a community screening of the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life

To reach their new homes the 15 families undertook a 30 minute journey from Glasgow to Gourock, and then an hour-long ferry trip. They were met by volunteers from a local charity who handed over gifts and provisions

The welcome committee said they had received warm wishes from people from Germany, who holiday on Bute, wanting to know what size clothes to bring as gifts for the families

David Cameron announced at the start of September that Britain would 'live up to its moral responsibility' by taking 20,000 refugees from the camps on the borders of Syria by the end of the current parliament in 2020

Syrian refugee families arrive by the MV Bute ferry on the Isle of Bute earlier today. Home Secretary Theresa May has said those arriving in the UK will be screened to ensure they do not pose a security threat

The families are some of the first of 20,000 refugees from camps in Syria by 2020. Refugees will now arrive at a rate of 400 a month in order to meet this target

In Rothesay, a local church will be used as a makeshift mosque. The families will have leave to remain for five years after which they can apply to settle in the United Kingdom permanently

Scottish Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf has described the welcoming of refugees as a ‘proud day’ for Scotland