Isle of Gigha

Gigha beach with foxgloves.

Photograph: Dennis Hardley www.scotphoto.com

Those Norsemen had it right when they named this five square miles of island off the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula Gudey, meaning good or God’s island.

Perhaps there was divine intervention in placing Gigha in just the right place to create silver sand beaches, crystal clear, turquoise-coloured sea and a balmy micro climate. Once visited never forgotten and often returned to, Gigha was a favourite of the Royal Family during summer Hebridean cruises on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The Princess Royal looked at her most relaxed during a formal visit to open new homes here when her offi cials kept looking at their watches while she stayed chatting to islanders. Then there was the occasion when one islander found their car turned into an impromptu taxi for HM Queen when she paid a surprise visit. Island life centres around its only village in Ardminish Bay on the south eastern side of the island, facing the mainland. The ferry docks here after its 20 minute trip from Tayinloan. The Ardminish Stores includes the Post Offi ce and has pumps for petrol, diesel and marine red diesel. The sheltered bay is home to the island’s pontoons and moorings and it is popular anchorage. Gigha offers a mix of the Gigha Hotel, self-catering, camping and motor home spaces plus bed and breakfast and even a yurt. The islanders organised a community buy-out in 2002 this is their 20th anniversary year. The celebrations can be toasted with the Isle of Gigha Coastal gin special bottling from the mainland Beinn an Tuirc distillery, home of Kintyre Gin. Gigha has a lot to celebrate; new housing and an increase in island population. The island’s trust has installed three wind turbines, The Dancing Ladies, which generate enough clean energy to export. There are miles of paths to explore on foot or by bicycle; and water sports equipment to hire to explore the coast. This little island has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has a wealth of sites to explore with cairns and an Ogham stone by its ruined 13th century Kilchattan Chapel, other standing stones and duns. It is also the ancient home of the Clan MacNeill. The gardens of Achamore House are being returned slowly but surely to their former glory by the islanders; when Gigha was owned by the Horlick family of malted drink fame, Sir James Horlick expanded the grounds and brought in rare species of plants from around the world. WORK UP AN APPETITE

All this exploring should work up an appetite and Gigha can soon take care of that. You can dine at the Gigha Hotel and pub, the Boathouse Restaurant, the Nook seafood takeaway or grab the ingredients for your self-catering or picnic at Ardminish Stores. An island this lush in Gulf Streamwarmed waters is bound to create something special to eat; Gigha Halibut is the award-winning island fi sh farm and their smoked halibut is magnifi cent and so are Gigha Oysters. The Wee Island Dairy produces creamy milk in glass bottles and a range of ice cream that is irresistible. There is also plenty of Gigha tablet and shortbread for sale.