Five Ferries: Days 5 & 6: Gigha

 I’ve known Gigha was a magical place since I was a little girl – my Godparents used to holiday there every year, enjoying the scenery, wildlife and peace to be found on this beautiful isle.

We caught the “turn up and go” ferry from Tayinloan, the busiest of our trip, and the fourth ferry of five in the title.  We arrived quite early and had to hang around for about 45 minutes; just as well we arrived early as the ferry was extremely busy and those at the back of the queue had to wait for the next one.  It was a bit of a tight squeeze but we made it with mirrors folded in, though I am not sure how wider motorhomes would fare.  The cost of the return crossing was £35 and the ferry runs every hour.

On landing, we drove to the north of the island and found the recommended parking spot for motorcaravans near local beautyspot, the Twin beaches.  This is a large grass field which leads to a footpath to the beaches, and has the most glorious view across calm waters to Islay and Jura. It was the perfect place for a two day-chill out, although we would have gladly stayed for longer, with beachcombing, dog walking, Skip-Bo card games and of course ferry spotting to keep us amused. The Gigha Community are constructing a motorhome aire soon, near the ferry terminal, and although it will not have the views we enjoyed, it will be beside the shop and hotel/bar, which will have its advantages!

Since we were not moving for the day we took the chance to use our slow cooker and make a beef stew with red wine and vegetables – very yummy and well worth lugging the mini slow cooker round with us.

The warm and sunny weather continued and we had a few hikes, up the nearest hill to a cairn to take some sunset pictures as well as to the Port Mor on the very North of the Island so we could view Jura and Kintyre from the same spot.

Sunsets in Scotland during the summer tend to be late (after 10pm at the solstice), and so we walked up the nearest hill, jumpers on and also our midge nets (Scottish mosquitoes are the worst!) complete with hound and camera.  The sun inched its way lower in the sky and just as it was almost setting behind Islay, clouds rolled in!  We took a few surreal snaps and then headed back to our van,  by which time the cloud had cleared and left us with the most wonderful sunset which is the header photo for this blogpost.

Our last morning was spent in the amazing Achamore Gardens a 54 acre garden combining woodland, a lake, a bamboo maze and many beautiful flowers.

We make a point of spending money wherever we go and we were pleased to be able to buy local produce in the Gigha shop, including Arran brie and jams and jellies.  There is now a “Wee Isles Dairy” milk bottle on my kitchen windowledge, a lovely souvenir of the most magical place