The Isle of Gigha on the West Coast of Scotland
The charming, unassuming, island of Gigha is a rare treat for anyone interested in experiencing a bit of Scottish Island life without the long ferry journey. Looking at the island from Tayinloan (where the ferry departs to Gigha), on the west side of the Kintyre Peninsula, the eyes gently sweep across its outline admiring the dark green bunches of trees and the slivers of pale sandy beaches. It is a small island, small enough to nestle right into your heart from the moment you board the ferry. The journey across only takes twenty minutes, sometimes longer if the weather is not calm. But in the summer it is not uncommon to look over the side and see a few dolphins and seals keeping you company along the way. The color of the water entrances you; it can change from a clear Hebridean blue to a pea-green and then to a stormy gray within moments. From the top of the ferry, the Paps of Jura and Islay appear to rise up just behind Gigha, and one could entertain the notion that they are keeping watch over it, like proud parents! A half a day spent here and you will be surprised by its quiet beauty and endearing charms. A good time on Gigha stays in your heart forever. So do the sunsets. And if you time it just right and take a midnight stroll under a full moon, seeing all of the fields cast in a silver glaze is more than breathtaking.
*Anyone on the ferry can tell you about Gigha and they are more than happy to point you towards areas of interest and ancient history. It is an island associated with the Vikings and you will find several burial grounds dotted around the fields. There are also visible Bronze Age ramparts, and an Ogham monolith for those interested in that ancient alphabet. The delicate remains of Kilchatten Church are nestled just above the Gigha Village Hall and on a clear day, the views from this spot cause the heart to skip a beat. There are also many cupped and standing stones next to the road and in other fields that also deserve your attention!
*The Achamore Gardens draw thousands of people each year. The colors are enchanting and it is easy to spend the entire day wandering between the Rhododendrons and exotic foliage. While walking through here one day I truly felt like I was Alice in Wonderland!
*The Hotel offers Bed & Breakfast and also Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for a fair price. If you fancy cooking for yourselves there are many self-catering cottages for rent. The hotel pub is highly recommended for a relaxing drink, a chat with one of the locals, or a comforting bar meal. There is a side garden to eat outdoors where you can admire the view across to the mainland. Dogs are welcome in the hotel and in the pub too; oft times they even wander in on their own awaiting the arrival of their owner or other dog pals.
*There are other B&B's to choose from if you do not want to stay at the Hotel. The Post Office, and the 'Big House' also known as Achamore House both offer a good night's rest, and a few more budding B&B's are in the works. Another fine eating and drinking establishment is The Boathouse. It located right next to the beach a quarter of a mile from where the ferry pulls in. It also is a designated camping location with shower and laundry facilities. However if you find that amazing spot somewhere else, and decide to camp, then you need to ask permission from the landowner.
*The beaches are easily accessible though are not by car. There are beaches up at the far North of the island where the views to Jura will transfix you, and also beaches in the middle and South of the island with magnificent views over to the isle of Cara and beyond.
*The Gigha Music Festival happens every year in the beginning of September and is a rare music treat! However you need to book early for lodging as spaces fill up very quickly.
*For those of the golfing inclination there is a wonderful 9 hole golf course with outstanding views over to the mainland. Warning, you may have some difficult concentrating on your golf swing!
*You do not need to bring your car over, which saves on the cost of the ferry, unless you can not live without it. A taxi service is available from the Post Office and there is also a landing strip for small airplanes. Helicopters too are welcome; some have even landed in the Hotel car park. There are bicycles to rent from the Post Office and also ones to borrow from the Hotel or bring your own. There is only one road which runs from the South of the island up to the North, so you need to respect that the island residents also need it for their own travels and for driving their cattle and other farming machinery. Stay to one side of the road while walking. It can be quite a surreal experience to have a herd of cattle driven between you and your partner!
Within minutes one can see that for a small island, it has so much to offer everyone both young and old. Serenity, simple beauty, graciousness, a friendly smile, and a hearty laugh await each visitor. Bring a picnic and spend the day frolicking over the rocks, digging for cockles, or bathing in the sun. If you find a place to settle in for the day, sit on one of the rocky outcrops and listen to the call of the gulls, the bleating of the sheep, the thunder of the milking cows coming down the road, and the snap of the ocean lapping just beneath you. It makes for a relaxing afternoon and you can still catch the last ferry back to the mainland, if you can manage to tear yourself away from your daydreams.
*Visit their website www.gigha.org.uk for more accommodation listings. It also gives driving directions from many UK cities, ferry times, and the current island news. The island is growing by leaps and bounds with a few new businesses added and even an Angling Club for the fisherman/woman in you!