This short taster of Gigha visits through Achamore Gardens (entrance fee) where you can spend time exploring the semi-tropical planting. It then climbs up past an ancient standing stone and to the top of a small hill with rougher going but great views.
Minor roads, tracks and pathless fields (can be muddy).
Bus to Taylinoan; ferry to Gigha.
Gigha ferry terminal.
From the ferry terminal follow the road along the coast and slightly uphill. Ignore the lane off to the Boathouse cafe and restaurant, continuing up past the school to a road junction. Here turn left, soon passing the Gigha Hotel. The island was the subject of a community buy out in 2003 and since then the community has run the hotel, Achamore Gardens, and the craft workshop as well as undertaking housing and windfarm projects. Follow the road past the houses at Ardminish - keeping a sharp eye out for a wooden footbridge and path into the woods on the right.
Follow the boggy path through the trees until it emerges on a track by the village hall. Cross the track and take the path opposite which leads into Achamore Gardens. The gardens were built by Sir James Horlick (of before-bed beverage fame). He bought the island in 1944, and the gardens he created are home to an impressive rhododendron collection as well as more exotic species which thrive in the mildness of the gulf stream. The gardens are now owned by the community, and there is an entrance fee (if you don't wish to pay you can omit the gardens by following the track past the community hall). There's a marked trail around the gardens which if explored fully will add an hour or more to the walk. Alternatively once you have paid the entrance fee you can return to explore them any time before they close at dusk - there is an honesty box if the booth is not manned.
This route follows a direct route past the house to reach the walled garden so you can pick it up there if exploring the garden further. For the quick route cross the main driveway and follow the Servant's Walk by turning right along a made-up path. Cross the driveway again, with good views of Achamore House. Follow the track up to the right of the house, passing through the gateway into the walled garden. Leave the walled garden by the gateway on the far side and follow the steps up the steep bank opposite which leads to a viewpoint. At the bench and picnic table here there are fabulous views over the Gigha coastline, the small island of Craro and further out the larger islands of Islay and Jura. Return back down the steps - with a great view of the walled garden - and then turn left.
Follow the mossy path behind the walled garden. The path narrows and reaches a gate. Go through this and pass a house to reach a track. Turn right and follow the track for a short distance very briefly, then turn left (before the cemetery) onto a track that climbs up towards a whitewashed house. Turn right to head through a kissing gate next to a farm gate. Immediately after this bear right to climb up through the gorse to visit the Ogham stone, an ancient standing stone with inscriptions that no one has been able to decipher.
Return to the grassy track, bearing left uphill past a fenced area, keeping the woods on your right. Head for the highest ridge when the path fades. Though only 69m the hilltop offers great views all around; look out for circling birds of prey in the endless skies. Continue along the ridge, bearing slightly to descend towards the houses of Ardminish.
Pass through a gateway in the stone wall and then continue diagonally down towards Ardminish, aiming for a gate well to the left of the children's play area. Pass through this and follow a trcak to reach the main road and your outward route. Turn left to retrace your steps back to the junction by the island shop, and then right to return to the ferry jetty.
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