Scottish Island Escape

Your first tiny island is reached by a short ferry from the Kintyre peninsula around 3 hours’ drive from Glasgow.

The Island

Known by the Vikings as ‘the Good Isle’ – and later as ‘God’s island’ – Gigha, the most southerly of the Hebrides, is a place of complete escape. As you cross the Sound of Gigha on the ferry from Tayinloan, you feel as though you are leaving the pace of everyday life far behind. Walkers can take in stunning panoramic views from wildflower-strewn hillsides and cyclists will discover perfect picnic spots on tiny beaches of pure white sand.  The island’s history makes fascinating reading – especially the community buy-out, ensuring Gigha’s future for islanders and visitors alike. The locals’ passion for their island is apparent as you quiz them on the ancient Bronze Age burial cairns, the spectacular banks of rhododendrons in Achamore Gardens, the 13th century church of Kilchattan – or the best place to watch the sun rise over Kintyre.

Your Hotel

Your comfortable and extremely welcoming hotel exudes Hebridean charm and, in its position a few minutes walk from the ferry terminal, is very much the social hub of this tiny island. A favourite haunt for locals, the bar features fascinating old photographs which give the visitor a flavour of the island’s history – the ideal place to enjoy a few drams of single malt and listen to tales of Gigha life which have been handed down through the generations. Practically every room in this comfortable and simple hotel offers stunning views, either of the island’s gently undulating landscape or over the wide sweep of Ardminish Bay, where colourful yachts and ferry boats ply back and forth to the Kintyre peninsula on the mainland. The lively dining room serves an array of local produce: keep an eye out for the halibut, which is farmed in the waters around the island.

Return to the mainland and short drive will take you to the next ferry port and the longer crossing to Islay, where your hotel is in the main village of Bowmore.

The Island

Once the ancestral seat of the Lords of the Isles, Islay is a fertile island of low heather-clad hills, attractive beaches, numerous historical sites and more whisky distilleries than any other Scottish island! We can help and advise on arranging tours of any which are of interest.

A haven for hill-walkers and bird-watchers, it’s home to the huge Loch Gruinart bird sanctuary and its vast numbers of migrating geese.  In the island capital, Bowmore, you can visit the unusual Round Church (no corners for the devil to hide in!) or, if history is your thing, the Museum of Island Life in Port Charlotte is well worth a visit, as are the ruins of Finlaggan Castle, home of the Macdonald chiefs, and Kildalton Chapel with its early Christian cross.

Your Hotel

Situated in the heart of the 18^th century ‘island capital’ of Bowmore, this historic white-washed inn by the harbour has seen a host of changes over the years. Most recently it’s been brought up to date with stylish en-suite bedrooms featuring splashes of tweed and contrasting earthy tones, while downstairs you’ll find a new conservatory with gorgeous views across Loch Indaal. What a great spot in which to enjoy a dram.

The hotel’s award-winning restaurant offers an “a la carte” menu incorporating seasonal dishes using the finest locally sourced produce, while for more informal dining, the lounge bar offers an all-day menu.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there is a direct connection from Islay to Colonsay, the most perfect of Hebridean islands.

The Island

One of the remotest of the captivating Hebrides, Colonsay offers the quintessential Scottish island experience. As your ferry docks, you will see residents and visitors alike descending from all corners to meet and greet the new arrivals. Then slowly, as the hustle and bustle dies down, the more pervading atmosphere of peace and tranquillity is restored. Gently rolling, heather-clad hills stretch into the distance, dotted with just the occasional cottage or farm building and a few white flecks of sheep.  Single track roads and footpaths enable you to meander across this beautiful landscape, frequently stopping to admire dramatic views across to Mull and back to Jura.  Whether you choose to walk or cycle (do leave the car behind!) your efforts will be amply rewarded: from the glorious sweep of sand and sea at stunning locations such as Kiloran Bay, to the discovery of intricately-carved ancient stones at the ruins of Oronsay priory.

Your Hotel

Standing just up the road from the ferry quay, the hotel dates from the 17th century, and the original white-washed style, peppered with multi-pane windows sharply outlined in black, has been carefully maintained in later additions. The interior is calm and welcoming, using sea greens and blues appropriate to the island setting, with painted wooden floors and plenty of comfy sofas in the public areas. Rooms are equally tasteful and come in a range of quirky shapes and sizes. The restaurant menu offers a perfect combination of superb, fresh produce and simple preparation so you taste the natural flavours at every bite, while a more traditional menu is available in the popular bar. Here you will no doubt be encouraged to share stories of your adventures of the day over a wee dram or locally-brewed beer.

By ferry to Oban then onwards