Liam and Aidan's annual trip to the paradise island of Gigha

We’ve just wrapped up another amazing summer trip to the stunning Isle of Gigha, and, as always, this little island has worked its magic on us. It’s become something of a tradition for Liam and me, and every year it feels like we uncover something new while revisiting our old favourites. We love that it’s a community-owned island and the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands, it feels like a different world.
 
The journey started with a short ferry ride from Kintyre. It’s only about 20 minutes long, but there’s something special about standing on the deck, feeling the fresh sea breeze on your face as Gigha’s white sandy shores slowly come into view. We never tire of the moment the island first appears… we both drop our shoulders. There’s not really a word to perfectly describe Gigha, other than breathtaking.
 
We were staying in a lovely self-catering cottage this time, nestled near the shore and a short walk from the beautiful Achamore Gardens. It was the perfect base for our three-night stay. The cottage had everything we needed, including a living area with huge windows that offered views of the ever-changing sea. We even spent our first evening just relaxing on the deck, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves as the sun set… few things beat a West Coast sunset!
 
The next morning, we rented e-bikes from the activity centre near the ferry terminal, which was walkable from our accommodation. Gigha’s small enough to explore fully on two wheels, but the e-bikes are perfect for getting around without breaking too much of a sweat – especially with the occasional hill! With the turquoise sea constantly in view and the fresh air filling our lungs, we set out to explore. One of our yearly highlights is visiting Achamore Gardens and seeing the difference each year. The gardens are a hidden gem, with colourful flowers and exotic plants in full bloom. We wandered through the winding paths, finding little ponds, ancient trees, and secluded spots perfect for sitting and soaking up the tranquillity.
 
We then headed North to visit the famous Twin Beaches, one of our much-loved spots on the islands to refuel with some lunch and a dip in the sea. Liam loves to wild swim and the secluded, calm shorelines here are perfect for it! The white sandy shores, with clear turquoise water, are absolutely stunning. It feels like you’ve stumbled onto a private tropical beach, though the water here is definitely a lot colder than in the tropics! We braved a swim before spending hours lounging on the soft sand looking over to the Paps of Jura. What a view!
 
Our days were filled with cycling around the island as the roads were so quiet, with mostly sheep for company, but the nights were just as special. On our second night, we headed out to the Dark Sky spot to do some stargazing. Away from the lights, the night sky felt infinite. We lay on our backs in the cool grass, watching as the stars gradually filled the sky. It was a surreal experience, the Milky Way streaking across the horizon, and we just sat in silence, lost in the beauty of it all. The Isle of Gigha is one of the top twenty most remote zones in Scotland which have been designated as a Dark Sky Discovery Site in the Milky Way class. We could see why!
 
We couldn’t visit Gigha without having a meal at The Boathouse, and this trip didn’t disappoint. Their seafood alone is unbeatable – we shared some of the freshest scallops we’ve ever had, along with their famous smoked haddock chowder. And the setting is unbeatable too! Everything tastes better here, maybe because the sea is just steps away from the restaurant. We ended the meal with some local ice cream made on the island by the dairy farm, rich and creamy, the perfect end to a perfect day.
 
Our final day was spent revisiting our favourite spots and enjoying a slower pace. Gigha never feels rushed, and that’s part of its charm. It’s hard to believe our three nights are already up, but this little island has a way of drawing us back year after year.
 
Until next summer, Gigha – we’ll be back! And we are going to camp when when we return next year as the facilities here are incredible, and we love to do something different each trip.

*This content is brought to you by some fictional characters, but based on real island trips by our visitors.