Fringed by sandy beaches and clear waters, the Isle of Gigha in the Inner Hebrides is a haven for walkers. Thanks to the island trust, a network of cycling and walking paths have been constructed on the island and they crisscross Gigha from north to south and east to west. The best walks on Gigha will take you to secluded beaches and viewpoints, standing stones and historic relics, and to the highest point on Gigha, Creag Bhan.
Isle of Gigha | Scotland
Gigha, one of Scotland’s lesser-known islands, is a walker’s paradise. Imagine: sandy beaches and turquoise waters, rugged cliffs and secret caves sculpted by the sea and wind, gardens bursting with blooms, and secluded coves. Each path here unfolds a narrative – from ancient standing stones and hidden beaches to panoramic vistas and vibrant gardens.
Going on one of these walks on Gigha is one of the best things to do in Gigha. Lace up your boots and join us as we walk Gigha’s best walks. Whether you seek a gentle stroll or an invigorating hike, we’ll guide you to hidden gems and iconic landmarks, all woven with the island’s rich tapestry of history and nature. So, pack your sense of adventure and prepare to be enchanted by Gigha’s magical footpaths.
Ardminish Bay Walk
Perhaps the easiest walk on Gigha is the Ardminish Bay Walk. It starts at the ferryport, next to the Isle of Gigha campsite, and runs along the crescent bay towards the Michellin-starred Boathouse Restaurant. Ardminish Bay, with its sandy beach and clear turquoise waters, is an absolute stunner! We walked past the restaurant along the shoreline and then through bushes that are fragrant with yellow gorse in spring. Note that this path might be inaccessible at high tide in which case take the right before you reach the restaurant. The lovely Port a’ Chinn Mhòir beach is small but absolutely breathtaking. From here we kept to the path, across an old wooden footbridge, and through a woodland to emerge on the main road near the community centre. Head on the Nook Seafood Takeaway, one of the best places to eat on Gigha, for some refreshments.
Isle of Gigha North End and Twin Beaches Walk
Perhaps the best walk on Gigha is the North End and Twin Beaches Walk. It starts at Ardminish and goes north along the single-track path. Note that there are cars, bikes, and campervans using the path too, so be careful on this path. From the campsite, we took the north bike path which went past some of the loveliest parts of the Gigha shoreline. It joined the main road a kilometre or so north.
At Tarbert, there is a standing stone. It is the narrowest point on Gigha and you can see the sea to the east and the west from here. We also crossed the Wee Isle Dairy farm where Don makes some of the most delicious ice cream in the world! Past viewpoints fringed with swaying foxgloves, past the sign leading to the Twin Beaches, we pressed north to reach the North End of Gigha.
The North End of Gigha is a certified Milky Way grade dark skies destination which means from here you can see the Milky Way bright and clear in the night sky. Besides the remnants of an old pier, there is an information board to help stargazers decode the night sky and a few benches here. We turned back and started walking south. The scenery reminded us of the scenic walks on Arran. Soon we were at the Twin Beaches sign again and turned right on the path that descended towards the beach. The path is paved and there were lots and lots of foxgloves and the views to the north were simply spectacular. There are two beaches here: the one facing south, Bagh Rubha Ruaidh, is often riddled with seaweeds but the north-facing beach, Bagh na Doirlinne, across the dune-like split is an absolute beauty. Imagine our joy at stepping on the soft sun-kissed sandy beach and watching a turquoise sea sparkling under clear blue skies! It was almost being back on the tropical beaches of Malaysia! And it was peaceful. Except for a trio happily canoeing nearby, we had the beach to ourselves. We sat on a rock for a long time simply taking in the scenery but if you may, you can walk up the Eilean Garbh, which offers unmatched views of Islay and Jura on one side and the Twin Beaches on the other.
There are lots of detours you can take on this Gigha walking route:
- Climb up the hillock to North Cairn from where you can get spectacular views of Islay and Jura.
- Take a detour on the main road to walk eastwards around the coast to Palm Beach and then to the North End.
- Follow the signage to Fisherman’s Cave.
Creag Bhan
Creag Bhan is the highest point on Gigha and makes for an great walk on Gigha. Though only 101 m in height, it commands unmatched views of Gigha’s lush countryside and Islay, Jura, Kintyre, Knapdale, Mull on a clear day and even Northern Ireland. Near the top there’s an old mill with a waterwheel. We didn’t do this walk but the 8.5 km walk takes about 2 hours and starts near the Gigha golf course. We spotted the signage on our walk to the twin beaches.
Kilchattan Church and the Standing Stones Walk
We started the walk at Ardminish and took the road south, thened turn right and walked uphill towards the church. Built in the 13th century, Kilchattan church is in ruins today. The gravestones have lost their carvings and markings but you can still see the gravestone of Malcolm, a 15th century chieftain, who gained Gigha when the Lord of the Isles resigned Kintyre. We spent some time at the ruins, then continued westwards till we were at a cluster of houses. On a hillock here stands the Ogham stone on which there are carvings on the ancient Ogham script. The stone was tricky to find; the vegetation all overgrown in summer but keep looking, we promise it is there!
From here, we walked past Springbank BnB, then through the gates towards the Bodach and Callieach standing stones. There is a wooden sign at the gate, so you won’t miss it. Beware that this path is through a working farm and there are cattle grazing. The views from this path are exhilarating. The lush countryside of Gigha sprawled to our right, little coves with turquoise waters, small sandy beaches, boats on Cuddyport Beach, and beyond the coastline just open waters. And we could see Islay and Jura, rising majestically. The views reminded us of the Fairy Dell Walk, one of the best walks on Arran. We walked through another gate and the stones were right in front on us, on a mound. Bodach and Cailleach (the old man and old woman in Gaelic) are two pre Christian-era stones who are said to walk the heaths of Gigha at noon and night. We walked down the hill that leads to the windmills, fondly called the Dancing Ladies of Gigha, on our way back. If you are into history and scenic views, this is certainly one of the best walks on Gigha.
Isle of Gigha South Coast Circular Walk
One of the best walks on Gigha is the South Coast Circular walk. We didn’t do the whole coast walk around the south-western tip of the island because the paths were not maintained and the weather was terrible but we walked from Ardminish to the South Pier where we marvelled at the sparkling azure waters for a very long time! Then we walked back the way we came but took a detour left and walked up the hill where the windmills stand. The path brought us to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking wind-swept moorland and Leim beach and wide open waters. Bet you can see as far as Northern Ireland on a clear day from here!
Achamore Gardens Walk
You cannot miss a walk in the Achamore Gardens on your visit to Gigha. Pay the fee at the entrance and enter this botanical paradise painstakingly cared for by the island trust. Pick any of the woodland trails and explore the garden. We marvelled at the sheer variety of plants and trees we saw and were blown by the herb garden and the flower beds. Azaleas and rhododendrons and camellias in full bloom, it was gorgeous! We visited in summer when all the flowers were at their best but what a delightful collection! But best of all, walk up the hill to the viewpoint. We clambered up the trail and the views were absolutely breathtaking! Just open waters and the islands dominating the horizon. For extra points, visit at sunset to see the sky and waters turn red over Islay and Jura.
We would move to Scotland a million more times if we could live on the Isle of Gigha! It is truly perfect!
What are your best walks on Gigha?
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