Gigha
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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 1½ miles wide. The main attraction is Achamore Gardens.
Get in
Gigha's main settlement of straggles along the lane south of the ferry pier.
The mainland pier at is half a mile off 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, but Gigha is just about big enough to be worth bringing a car.
Scottish Citylink Bus 926 runs 4 or 5 times daily from Glasgow Buchanan Street to Tayinloan (3 hours 30 min) on its way to Campbeltown. The route is via Dumbarton, Tarbet on Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Lochgilphead, Tarbert (Loch Fyne) and Kennacraig (for ferries to Islay). One bus a day runs via Glasgow Airport. Booking is recommended, as this is a busy route connecting with several ferries.
On school days there are a couple of extra runs along A83 by West Coast Bus 449 from Lochgilphead via Tarbert, Kennacraig, Tayinloan and Muasdale to Campbeltown.
Get around
On foot, or hire a bike to see the north end.
See
- 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 & GardensThe house, a venerable mansion which has been run as a B&B, is closed and for sale as of June 2019. 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.
Buy
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address: PA41 7AALicensed grocers with petrol pumps and bike hire.
Eat
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phone: +44 1583 505123Restaurant specialising in local seafood. Also runs adjacent campsite.
Sleep
Gigha HotelHotel with restaurant. They also run two self-catering cottages.
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Springbank B&B
phone: +44 1583 505043-room B&B.
Go next
Back to the mainland it must be.