Gigha has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has a number of archaeological sites, including standing stones, cairns and an ogham stone.Gigha's position made it strategically important when the Norse and then the Lords of the Isles controlled much of the west coast and its islands from their base on neighbouring Islay.
In more recent times the island changed hands many times. Sir James Horlick (whose company shockingly produce a non-alcoholic drink from malted barley!) who purchased it in 1944 was responsible for the planting the Gardens at Achamore. After his death Gigha had several other owners before finally being bought on behalf of the islanders with funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the National Lottery backed Scottish Land Fund in 2002. £1m of this was a loan repayable within 2 years. The repayment was achieved thanks to the sale of Achamore House - the Gardens however remain in the ownership of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust. Isle of Gigha Undiscovered Scotland Wikipedia Southern Hebrides Gigha & WhiskyGigha Hotel and the Boathouse Cafe Bar both have a small range of malt whiskies. Gigha's only about 14 miles from Ardbeg if you have a boat or fancy a long swim!
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Gigha is a small island off the west coast of Kintyre, with a population of around 120. It is low lying with a highest point of exactly 100m. It is about 6 miles long, 1½ miles wide with a single road stretching from north to south - the only real settlement is around and to the south of Ardminish Bay, where the ferry slip is situated, as far as Achamore House and its surrounding gardens, renowned for rhododendrons and azaleas. Apart from the gardens, Gigha's also famed for its many sandy beaches.
Gigha has had 3 wind turbines (known locally as the Dancing Ladies) since 2005 and sells electricity to the national grid - making a yearly profit of around £75,000. There are several rocks around Gigha, but just a couple of islets to the south worthy of mention. Tiny Gigalum has a modern house on it, though I've yet to find out why! It has a jetty opposite the original jetty for Gigha - the ro-ro slip in Ardminish Bay wasn't built until the 1980s. Cara is larger and rises to 56m at its Mull. It is still owned by the Macdonalds of Largie, direct descendants of the Lords of the Isles. Cara House and its chapel are now derelict. Arriving & DepartingOpen Cycle Map Bing Map
Gigha is not the easiest island to get to - because its ferry port Tayinloan is a long way by road from anywhere! Nearest train stations (distances are to Tayinloan): Dalmally (DAL) (72 miles), Oban (OBN) (68), Ardrossan Harbour (ADS) (33 miles plus 2 ferries). Live Train Times: DAL OBN, ADS Once at Tayinloan the ferry service to the island only takes 20 minutes and runs hourly in the Summer, not quite so regular in Winter. Gigha has a landing strip, but no scheduled flights. SleepingAchamore House B&B 01583 505400 @
{Website still active, but tariffs are from 2012, no Trip Advisor activity since 2014} Drumallan B&B 01583 505241 Drumeonbeg B&B 01583 505271 Gigha Hotel 01583 505254 @ Springbank B&B 01583 5050208/07919 127633 @ {website no longer active, Trip Advisor review March 2017} Excellent accommodation in modern bungalow at the end of a long rough lane near Achamore Gardens (care required with lane if you have other than a mountain bike). Superb views over Islay. Friendly, helpful, great breakfast. Garage for parking bike overnight. For self-catering see: Isle of Gigha EatingBoathouse Cafe Bar 01583 505123
Good menu, especially for seafood, with daily specials depending on what's been landed. On my visit there was a countdown on the door of how many lobster they had left. Gigha Hotel 01583 505254 @ Less extensive menu than Boathouse, but cheaper. While waiting for the ferry: Big Jessies Tearoom Tayinloan 01583 441141 DrinkingBoathouse Cafe Bar 01583 505123
Around 20 Malt Whiskies and a list with tasting notes - limited range of beers and ciders, lengthy wine list. Gigha Hotel 01583 505254 @ Around 20 malt whiskies - good range of other drinks. Meet the locals and other visitors. CyclingShoppingPost Offices: Ardminish Stores 01583 505251
9.30 to 12.00 Mon-Sat Banking - go to Tarbert or Campbeltown! Raining??BBC Weather (Tayinloan) The Weather Channel
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Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions and my other pictures of Gigha are available on Flickr at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628978150455/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628978150455/