Isle of Gigha

Also known as Gigha, Gigha Island

Gigha ( ; ; ) or the Isle of Gigha (and formerly Gigha Island) is an island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. The island forms part of Argyll and Bute and has a population of 187 people as of 2022. The climate is mild, with more sunshine hours than the Scottish average, and the soils are fertile. The main settlement is Ardminish.

Key facts

Scottish island.location_map: Scotland Argyll and Bute
Scottish island.caption: Gigha shown within Argyll and Bute
Scottish island.GridReference: NR647498
Scottish island.Image: Gigha Hotel, Ardminish.jpg
Scottish island.ImageCaption: Gigha Hotel
Scottish island.celtic name: Giogha
Scottish island.scots name: Gigha
Scottish island.norse name: Guðey
Scottish island.meaning of name: Old Norse, probably "God's island" or "good island"
Scottish island.area rank: 41
Scottish island.highest elevation: Creag Bhàn
Scottish island.Population

~27 min read

Article

28 sections

Contents

Etymology
Geology
Geography
Surrounding islands
History
Norse period
John of Islay
Clan MacNeill
Medieval conflict
17th century
Modern period
Community buy-out
Population
Economy
Wind turbines
Transport
Infrastructure
Attractions
Wildlife
Shipwrecks
Culture & media
Gaelic
Notable residents
See also
References
Notes
Sources
External links

Gigha has been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times. It may have had an important role during the Kingdom of Dalriada and is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeill. It fell under the control of the Norse and the Lords of the Isles before becoming incorporated into modern Scotland and saw a variety of conflicts during the medieval period.