GORGEOUS GIGHA

provides miles of opportunities for exploring harder to reach spots. Bikes, e-bikes and watersports equipment are all available to hire from close to the ferry slip.

This island is owned by its community, who are known as Gighachs. They took it over from its last private owner in 2002 and have since worked through the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust to ensure its preservation and development.

Gigha offers a variety of accommodation, from the Gigha hotel to self-catering options, motor home spaces, a yurt and a brand new campsite. Ardminish Stores provides for the needs of visitors and locals, with a Post Office, and fuel pumps (which also sell marine diesel) as well as the general store.

Gigha today has a lot to celebrate. There is new housing and an increase in island population. The Dancing Ladies, three recently-installed wind turbines generate enough clean energy to export. There is history to uncover too. This island is the ancient home of Clan MacNeill and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Sites include standing stones, duns, cairns and an Ogham stone by the ruined 13th century Kilchattan Chapel.

Achamore Gardens, a 54-acre estate bursting with remarkable trees and shrubs, is known for the blaze of spring colour from rhododendron, azaleas and camelias – plants that thrive in the mild and fertile setting. Developed in the late 1940s by hot drinks magnate Sir James Horlick, the gardens are now being rejuvenated by a new head gardener and team.

Gigha is well placed to take care of the appetite you may work up exploring. Visitors can dine at the Gigha Hotel and pub, the Boathouse Restaurant, the Nook seafood takeaway, or grab ingredients for a self-catering meal or picnic at Ardminish stores (why not treat yourself to some local tablet or shortbread too).

An island this lush in the Gulf Stream-warmed waters is bound to create some special produce. Gigha Halibut is an award-winning fish farm, and their smoked halibut is magnificent, as are Gigha Oysters.

The Wee Island Dairy produces creamy milk in glass bottles and an irresistible range of ice cream – or if you feel like raising a glass, why not try Isle of Gigha Coastal gin, made by Beinn an Tuirc Distillery using botanicals foraged from the island, or a bottle of beer from the new local brewery Gigha Brewing.

DIARY DATE: Gigha Raft Race, Saturday July 15th. Join the Boathouse Restaurant team for watery fun at this annual event.