Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARRIVAL AND EATING
SKIPNESS
By bus Buses run between Skipness and Kennacraig
via the ferry terminal at Claonaig (Mon-Sat 3 daily;
20min).
Skipness Seafood Cabin Below the castle T 01880
760207. Little more than a hut just below the castle, the
Cabin has been doling out fresh local seafood for years: hot
smoked salmon or crab rolls (£4), fresh oysters, queenies
(queen scallops), langoustine, mussels and home-baked
cakes are just some of the treats. There are wooden tables
and bench seating from which to admire the splendid
views across to Arran. Whit Sunday to Sept 11am-7pm;
closed Sat.
6
Isle of Gigha
Just six miles by one mile, GIGHA - pronounced “Geeya”, with a hard “g” - is a
low-lying, fertile island, with a population of around 150, just three miles off the west
coast of Kintyre. he island's Ayrshire cattle produce over a quarter of a million gallons
of milk a year to produce the island's distinctive (occasionally fruit-shaped) cheese. Like
many of the smaller Hebrides, Gigha was bought and sold numerous times after its
original lairds, the MacNeils, sold up, and was finally bought by the islanders
themselves in 2002.
he real draw of Gigha, apart from the peace and quiet, are the white sandy
beaches - including one at Ardminish, the island's only village - that dot the
coastline. he ferry from Tayinloan deposits you at ARDMINISH , where you'll find
the post o ce and shop, and the all-denomination island church, which has some
interesting stained-glass windows. Although most visitors come to Gigha for the
day, it's a great place to stay .
Achamore Gardens
A mile and a half south of Ardminish • Daily 9am-dusk • £4
he main attraction on Gigha is the Achamore Gardens . Established by the first
postwar owner, Sir James Horlick of hot-drink fame, its spectacularly colourful displays
of azaleas are best seen in early summer. Elsewhere, the rhododendrons merit seeking
out, as does the walled garden, with its hugely diverse collection of plants, a bamboo
maze, and a superb panorama across the island's west coast and beyond to Islay and
Jura. Achamore House itself is now home to an American who runs a flower-essence
business, it's also possible to stay here.
To the southwest of the gardens, the ruins of the thirteenth-century St Catan's Chapel
are floored with weathered medieval gravestones; the ogham stone nearby is the only
one of its kind in the west of Scotland.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
ISLE OF GIGHA
By ferry CalMac ferries depart more or less hourly from
Tayinloan, 23 miles south of Tarbert, for the 20min
crossing to Ardminish.
Website There's no tourist o ce here, but this website is a
useful resource: W gigha.org.uk.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Achamore House Achamore Gardens T 01583
505400, W achamorehouse.com. If you want to stay in
the style of a laird, book into one of the grand rooms at the
beautiful house in the midst of Achamore Gardens; bay
windows, antique wardrobes and chests are standard
features, thou gh some rooms do have shared bathroom
facilities. £90
The Boathouse By the pier T 01583 505123,
W boathousegigha.co.uk. The place to go for delicious
food, good company, and occasionally live music and quiz
nights too. April-Oct daily 11.30am-10pm.
Boathouse Camping On the grass adjacent to The
Boathouse T 01583 505123, W boathousegigha.co.uk.
This designated camping area has fantastic beach views.
Facilities are limited to showers (£1) and toilets, though
they sell some basic foodstuffs too. Th ere are only twenty
pitches, so booking ahead is advisable. £9 /pitch
Gigha Hotel T 01583 505254, W gigha.org.uk. Just
200m from the ferry terminal, this is the social centre of the
island and a very welcoming place to stay. The rooms are
inviting an d spo tlessly clean without being particularly
spectacular. £80
 
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