Gigha

Gigha (Gaelic: Giogha) is a small island 3 miles off the west coast of Argyll in Scotland. The name is probably from Norse Guðey, “god’s island” or “good island”. It’s about 6 miles long north-south by one and a half miles wide. The main attraction is Achamore Gardens.

Get in

A small ro-ro Calmac ferry plies between Tayinloan on the mainland to Gigha, taking 15 mins. This runs daily year-round, hourly; in summer it’s generally 10:00-18:00 but in winter only till around 16:00. Gigha's main settlement of 🌍 Ardminish straggles along the lane south of the ferry pier.

Tayinloan is a short turn-off from the A83 to Campbeltown. The usual approach is via Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Lochgilphead and Tarbert, maybe three hours from Glasgow. Another route is by ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick on the Isle of Arran, then a smaller ferry from Lochranza to Claonaig south of Tarbert, then A83. (Satnav users beware: "Tarbert" is a common Scottish place-name, there's even one on Gigha.) You can leave your car in the free car-park at Tayinloan.

Get around

On foot, or hire a bike to see the north end.

See

The Ogham stone

• Prehistoric remains: there are several standing stones, cairns and duns on the island. The most striking is the Ogham stone near Kilchattan. It’s badly weathered and the inscription can’t be deciphered.
• Achamore House & Gardens: the House, a venerable mansion which has run as a B&B, is currently closed and for sale. However in summer you can still see the gardens, open daily 08:00-18:00. The mild climate allows species from Australia, New Zealand and the Andes to thrive here.
• Wildlife includes guillemot and eider. Lots of other ducks, grouse and pheasant, but seldom geese. Gigha lacks many mainland mammals, such as deer, weasels or hares, a bonus for the nesting birds.
• Ireland! Climb the highest hill Creag Bhàn (100 m) on a clear day, and Rathlin Island and the hills of Ulster can be seen to the southwest.

Other small, uninhabited islands close to Gigha are Gigalum then Cara to the south, and Craro to the west. Islay and Jura are prominent to the west.

Do

Buy

• 🌍 Ardminish Stores, PA41 7AA. Licensed grocers with petrol pumps and bike hire. (updated Aug 2018)

Eat

• 🌍 Boathouse Restaurant, ☎ [phone]. Mar - Sep only. Restaurant specialising in local seafood. Also runs adjacent campsite. (updated Aug 2018)

Drink

Sleep

• 🌍 Gigha Hotel (near the ferry pier at Ardminish.). Open through summer,. Hotel with restaurant. They may have some availability in winter 2018 / 19 but most rooms will be closed for refurbishment. They also run two self-catering cottages. (updated Aug 2018)
• Springbank B&B (opposite Achamore House), ☎ [phone]. 3 room B&B. (updated Aug 2018)

Connect

Go next

Back to the mainland it must be.