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Isle of Gigha – a tiny island paradise

Today, I’m going to share a lesser known Scottish gem with you – the community owned Isle of Gigha.

Gigha first caught my eye in 2014 as I sailed by on my way to Islay. A fleeting glimpse of white sandy beach and I was captivated. It was promptly added to my lengthy list of places to see.

Discovering the Isle of Gigha

We eventually spend a weekend on the Isle of Gigha in September 2015. The island is reached via ferry from Tayinloan on the Kintyre Peninsula. The crossing takes only 20 minutes.

While on the Isle of Gigha we stayed at the Gigha Hotel (the island’s only hotel). We ate our evening meals there too. The food was simple, fresh and tasty. The hotel was a relaxing, haven which boasted stunning views of the mainland. It was the perfect island base.

To say the Isle of Gigha is compact would be an understatement. It’s seven miles long and a mile and a half wide, with a solitary single track road running its length. I hope this blog will show you that great things come in small packages. Maybe it’ll even prompt you to add the Isle of Gigha to your ‘must see’ list.

Gigha is an easy island to explore if you only have a couple of days to spare. It’s the perfect remote escape for lovers of the great outdoors, unspoiled scenery, history and good food. You can hire a bike on the island and cycle on a near car free (and relatively flat) road, or a canoe and paddle in the island’s clear waters. We explored Gigha on foot, using the car to cut down on time spent getting between points of interest.

Exploring the Isle of Gigha – day 1
Beautiful island beaches

On arrival, our first port of call were the two beautiful beaches at the north end of the island.

The boy was in his element and enjoyed a bout of loopy, fast running.

The beaches were lovely – unspoiled, rugged and blissfully people free. They were a hit with all three of us.



As you can see the Wee White Dug had a ball. Those are just some of the showy shapes he’ll throw if he suspects a beefy treat is up for grabs.


Isle of Gigha – history

A box ticker for me was the fact that you didn’t have to look far on Gigha to find history. It has a ruined medieval chapel, complete with carved grave slabs, as well as several interesting standing stones.

I loved the Stone of Tarbert (Carragh an Tairbeirt), which sits by the roadside at the north of the island. It’s sometimes known as the hanging stone, as it’s rumoured to have been a place of execution in medieval times. I prefer another story associated with its origin.

Once upon a time, there was a giant who lived on the Kintyre Peninsula on the Scottish mainland. The poor soul was plagued by terrible toothache. One day the pain got so bad, that in despair, he tore out his aching tooth and hurled it across the sea to Gigha, where it landed, embedding itself in the ground.

The stone does look like a giant tooth. I’m inclined to believe this is the true story behind the Stone of Tarbert.

Exploring the Isle of Gigha – day 2 
An eventful hike to visit standing stones

We spent our second day on Gigha exploring the south end of the island. I’d researched some island walks before our visit. You won’t be surprised to learn that the walk I liked the sound of most incorporated a beach and standing stones.

I omitted to mention to Mr G that the walk would be boggy/muddy in parts. I’d walk barefoot over broken glass to reach standing stones. Mr G would rather not. We’d fallen out a year earlier on the Isle of Jura, when I’d led us into the mother of all bogs to reach a stone I’d spotted from the car.

Too many coos

The start of our walk along minor road and farm track was good underfoot. So far so good – no bog, no mud. And then I saw them – not the stones but a herd of cows blocking our path to the beach. I always thought cows were lovable, docile creatures until I started hiking. Then I started to read horror stories about ramblers being chased and trampled by them. I had visions of them charging my beloved wee dug. Wimping out, I turned on my heels, deciding to cut the beach visit from our hike. Mr G grumbled but followed.

We headed in the direction of the stones, skirting around the far edge of a very boggy field. “Gosh it’s quite boggy” I said, hoping I sounded suitably surprised. Then came the mud – mud, mud and more mud. Slippery, deep and unpleasant. Mr G was fast losing patience when I noticed a mini version of the stones we were looking for. “We must be close” I said “that’s a miniature version of the stones up there on that wee hill.”

  

It did strike me as odd, that they’d have a miniature version of them. Then I realised the pint-sized monoliths before us were ‘the’ actual stones. For scale, see if you can spot the Wee White Dug lurking in the photo above.

Gey scunnered!

In Scotland we have a word which perfectly describes a feeling of disgust – scunnered. Scunnered is what I was when I realised I’d trekked through the equivalent of a wet weekend at Glastonbury to reach some knee-high stones.

As I snapped photos of them though, my feelings towards them softened. They’d stood for thousands of years watching over the island. Their names Bodach and Cailleach translate from Gaelic as man and woman. It was once believed they were responsible for the Isle of Gigha being a green and fertile island. Islanders are said to have taken them offerings to guarantee the continued fertility of the island. Others say they’re terrifying creatures that come to life at night and roam the heath.

They sit in a beautiful spot with fantastic views, so are worth a visit, despite their lack of stature.

If you’re wondering who’s who, Bodach has the big lumpy head.

  
Lunch on Gigha – The Boathouse

On both days of our stay we ate lunch at The Boathouse which sits by Ardminish Bay. I’d read great things about the place and I wasn’t disappointed. It was excellent – people and dog friendly, relaxed and most importantly the food was delicious.

More history, a wee beach and garden

Mr G was a good lad and let me visit the ruined medieval chapel AND go in search of the Ogham stone – yet another standing stone. This time inscribed with what’s thought to be Pictish writing.

Later, we found a pretty little sandy bay near the hotel which appeased Mr G after missing the beach earlier due to coogate.

We ended our day of island exploring with a walk in the extensive Achmore Gardens – a mysterious, leafy haven which must look spectacular in summer when the garden’s in full bloom.

Goodbye Isle of Gigha

All too soon our short stay on the Isle of Gigha was over. It was time to say goodbye to the little island paradise.

As we were checking out of our hotel the receptionist shared a wonderful story about two Frenchmen who’d just checked out in front of us. They’d bought an old sailing boat from a salvage yard in France and renovated it. They then sailed to Scotland on it. They were now en-route to the Jura Distillery on the Isle of Jura. Their plan was to have it made into whisky barrels. I love stories like that, people living a life less ordinary, and turning it into a great adventure.

As we sailed away from Gigha on the ferry, taking in some final views of the island, I spotted the Frenchmen hopping aboard their tiny Jura bound boat and smiled.

Until next time …

25 thoughts on “Isle of Gigha – a tiny island paradise”

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      You definitely do. I’d definitely recommend Gigha it’s beautiful. 💙

  1. authorstephanieparkermckean – Fortrose, Scotland – While I am blessed to now live in Scotland with my wonderful husband, Alan, I'm a Texas girl and proud of Texas. I'm a writer--from birth--I think. Sunpenny Publishing has just released Bridge to Nowhere, the first in a Miz Mike series--and yes--Miz Mike is from Texas! Three Prongs where the misfits fit. Sounds a bit like Bandera, Texas!
    authorstephanieparkermckean says:

    We loved our short stay on Gigha, Island of God. Just wish we could have stayed longer and seen more of the incredible sights – like the ones you describe so beautifully in this post. Thank you!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

  2. tannachtonfarm – North central Missouri – A 13- year homeschooling mom (youngest graduated in May 2015!) who is also a cattle and sheep farmer married to a cattle farmer. My three children and I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends. While this blog will chronicle our journey of Faith, Family, and Farm, opinionated articles on frugal living, traveling, recipes, and homeschooling experiences may be found sprinkled throughout!
    tannachtonfarm says:

    Honestly, your photos are like paintings! just stunning. Great storytelling as well. Yup, for sure, since dogs are a natural predator to calves, their mommas can be protective and may knock down the dog and anything in between. Be careful. Mud, mud, sticky, deep, cold cow-killin’ mud – sounds like north Missouri right now.

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you for taking the time to read. Mud is the bane of my life when hiking. Yuck

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thanks Gail x

  3. greenmackenzie – Scotland – Hi, I'm Seonaid, and I share my home on the shores of Loch Ness deep in the Scottish Highlands with my husband, my son and a couple of dogs. I love art which is here now and gone tomorrow...like food and nature...but also have a passion for vintage and the ancient past! Nature is my favourite muse, with her wild ever shifting seasons. I have been using and teaching mindfulness and relaxation for over 12 years, and have yet to become any sort of expert :-) I'm a Psychotherapist and Cancer Support Specialist in Maggies Highlands
    greenmackenzie says:

    I’ve never been, but your post has definitely made me add it to my ever growing list of places to see. My mums dog is named Gigha after this island💕😊

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Awww then you need to go and take Gigha. It’s a beautiful place. 😍

  4. Oh my gosh, I have fallen madly in love with your exquisite blog – the photos are scrumptious – and your adorable dog. I am so excited to now be following your posts. Have a great long weekend. 😃

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you so much. Have a great weekend too. 🐶

  5. Gorgeous and so peaceful, I am in love with the little fellow Casper (am I right with the name of the dog?)

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank you – it’s a beautiful place and you are correct the wee boy is called Casper 🐶

  6. I love this place-it’s only a tiny bit smaller than my island! Thank you so much for sharing. I hope to some day visit Scotland!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      It’s a wonderful little island. I hope you get to see it for yourself some day. What’s your island called and where is it? 😊

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thanks Fi – people like that make the World a nicer place. I’d love to know how they got on. 😘

  7. Great photos and I love your story about the giant’s tooth! Gigha was our first Scottish isle experience some 13 years ago, chosen because of the short ferry ride. It is beautiful but Mull and Iona are our family favorites so far. Thanks for writing!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Thank for reading. It’s a beautiful island. Like you Mull is my favourite place in Scotland. My two posts prior to this were about Mull. I’ve tried to break it up a bit with somewhere different but I think there’s a Tobermory post in me yet. 😊

  8. This was a fantastic piece – now totally inspired and want to visit Gigha SOON!
    A visit is on my top ten ambitions for the years ahead -and it was not even on my radar before . So myself and my little dugid dog thank you , keep up the good work!

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      Aww thank you so much. I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

  9. writefury – Ireland – *information concerning Agent Writefury is classified, seeing as it will jeopardize our agents in the field.
    writefury says:

    Wow! So beautiful! 😀

    1. Samantha Grant – A Scottish travel blogger and digital influencer, exploring Scotland with my Westie Casper and husband Alex, to bring you the very best of scotland.
      Sam says:

      It’s gorgeous – the name is thought to translate from Old Norse and mean God’s island or good island.

      1. writefury – Ireland – *information concerning Agent Writefury is classified, seeing as it will jeopardize our agents in the field.
        writefury says:

        That’s cool! 🙂 I’ll have to try and visit sometime. 😛

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