Isle of Gigha

Gigha is a small island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland, part of Argyll and Bute. It measures about nine and a half kilometres long and two and a half wide, with a gentle central ridge rising to only 100 metres. The main settlement, Ardminish, sits on the south-east coast in a sheltered bay. The island has fertile soils and a mild climate with more sunshine than most of Scotland. It is surrounded by smaller isles such as Cara to the south and Gigalum to the south-east. Gigha has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was once linked to the Kingdom of Dalriada. The island was later controlled by the Norse and the Lords of the Isles before becoming part of modern Scotland. Its name may come from Old Norse or Gaelic, with meanings such as ‘good island’ or ‘island of the geo’. A community buy-out in 2002 revived the island after a long decline in population. Today it supports farming, tourism and new commercial ventures. Visitors find Achamore Gardens with their exotic plants and sheltered paths. The island’s wildlife includes many seabirds, and its shores hold reminders of shipwrecks among the skerries. Small farms and holiday homes dot the landscape, and the quiet bays offer safe anchorages. From clear viewpoints the coasts of Islay and Jura appear across the Sound of Gigha.