Gigha (Norse: gja-ey' cleft island' or 'God island' or `good island'). Gigha is six miles long and two miles across at its widest. The land is fertile, although the west coast is rough and rocky. The island now has a population of around 200, although in 1801 there were over 500 inhabitants. The highest hill, Creag Bhan, rises to 330 feet, and there are splendid views to Kintyre, (slay, Jura, and even Ireland on a clear day. There are also fine sandy beaches at Druimyeon Bay and Ardminish Bay.

On Gigha you will find many prehistoric sites, including cairns, standing stones, forts and duns. A Viking grave was found in 1849 at East Tarbert Bay. There are fine carved grave slabs in the old burial ground at Kilchattan, including an ogham stone, which dates from as early as the 7th century.

The Norse king Hakon held court on the island in 1263 before going on to defeat at the battle of Largs.

The island was long a property of the Lords of the Isles, but passed to the MacNeils of Taynish, who held it until 1780 when it was sold to the MacNeils of Colonsay. It has changed hands several times since then. Achamore House has fine gardens, which have been developed since 1944.

The small island of Cara lies 0.5 miles south of the south tip of Gigha. It is about one mile long, but less than 0.5 miles across, and rises to about 150 feet. The island was a property of the MacDonalds of Largie, and a ruinous old chapel, dedicated to St Fionnlugh, is said to be the site of an early Christian monastery. The island is said to have had a brownie. Gigulum Island lies off the south-east coast of Gigha.