Visiting Kintyre? Don’t miss out on a trip to the island of Gigha

The Kintyre peninsula is a long finger of land that stretches south towards Ireland. This strikingly beautiful, largely undiscovered part of Argyll offers plenty to see and do, from the fishing village of Tarbert in the north to the Mull of Kintyre in the south. Uncover a fascinating Viking history, go surfing, walk the Kintyre Way, play a round of golf and more. Kintyre offers limitless discoveries, bringing visitors back time and time again. Did you know you can catch a ferry from Kintyre to the Hebridean island of Gigha?

If you love Kintyre, then you’ll love Gigha.

Visit Gigha

This enchanting small island sits three miles west of Kintyre and is easy to reach by ferry. The island offers fabulous walking and cycling, great beaches, and a good dose of history. Gigha also has a gem of a golf course! So if you enjoy visiting Kintyre, then make sure you discover more by making the trip to Gigha.

Golf

Kintyre packs in three of Scotland’s best links golf courses within 20 miles: Machrihanish Golf Club, Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty Golf Club. At Machrihanish Golf Club, you play off the only opening tee in the world that requires you to carry the Atlantic - or at least part of it! This spectacular course has earned its place in the world’s top 100. Carradale Golf Club on the east coast of Kintyre and Tarbert in the north are excellent nine-hole courses.

Over on Gigha, there’s a lovely nine-hole golf course with panoramic coastal views. 

Walking

Stretching from Tarbert in the north to Machrihanish in the south, the Kintyre Way is one of Scotland’s top long-distance routes. It criss-crosses the Kintyre peninsula, connecting communities and landscapes, people and produce. You’ll be astounded by the diversity and beauty of the landscape you walk through. The 100-mile route is broken down into seven sections, providing four to seven days’ worth of walking. Or you can try one section at a time.

Over on Gigha, there’s plenty more wonderful walking. Pick up the ‘Walk Gigha’ booklet from Gigha Stores or Gigha Hotel. It describes the 12 designated off-road walks in detail (with maps). Many of the walks start and end at the centre of the island, not far from where the ferry comes in, so they are perfect for foot passengers visiting for a day.

Cycling

Kintyre offers fantastic on- and off-road cycling. The Caledonia Way starts in Campbeltown and runs up Kintyre's west coast. Most of the Kintyre Way is cycle-friendly, and is an interesting route for cycle cross and mountain bikers. There are also some good family-friendly mountain bike routes in the forest near Campbeltown.

If you’re on Gigha and don’t have much time, cycling is the best way to see the island. Only one road runs from one end of the island to the other, with small tracks branching off it. The road’s fairly flat and virtually traffic-free, so it’s ideal for a gentle cycle the whole family can enjoy. You can hire bikes at the Gigha Boats Activity Centre.

Beaches

Kintyre is renowned for its fabulous beaches. On the west coast, you’ll find numerous deserted sandy beaches, often pounded by Atlantic breakers. Westport Beach is one of Scotland’s top surfing spots, and you can get surfing lessons with Pete’s Surf School. The east coast is gentler. Carradale Bay is a stunning mile-long, south-facing sandy beach, and Saddell Bay, looking out across the Kilbrannan Sound to the Isle of Arran, is another fabulous spot.

Gigha, meanwhile, is fringed by idyllic white bays lapped by turquoise seas.

Local produce

Kintyre is packed with great-tasting local produce. You’ll find seafood hauled fresh from the surrounding waters, beef, lamb, and cheese from local farms, and a host of artisan products. Lots of great cafés and restaurants serve up this delicious local fare.

Over on Gigha, you’ll find fabulous flavours too. The Wee Isle Dairy makes delicious ice cream. The Boathouse at Ardminish Bay is a wonderful restaurant serving up exceptional local seafood and other foodie delights right on the beach. The Gigha Hotel is another great place to eat.

Music

Kintyre is a must-visit destination for any live music lover, hosting major annual music festivals, including the Kintyre Songwriters Festival and the Mull of Kintyre Music Festival. And music is another reason to catch the ferry to Gigha!

The Isle of Gigha Music Festival is a small traditional music festival which offers a perfectly formed line-up of ceilidhs, headline concerts, sessions and a musical beach picnic.

Getting there

Gigha is just a 20-minute CalMac ferry journey from Tayinloan on Kintyre. The ferry drops you at the island’s only village, Ardminish, where you’ll find the post office, shop and other amenities. Accommodation options include the Gigha Hotel, self-catering cottages, B&Bs, and camping.