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Isle of Gigha

Gigha
Gaelic name About this sound Giogha 
Pronunciation [ˈkʲi.ə]
Norse name Guðey
Meaning of name Old Norse, probably "God's island" or "good island"
Location
Gigha is located in Argyll and Bute
Gigha
Gigha
Gigha shown within Argyll and Bute
OS grid reference NR647498
Coordinates 55°41′N 5°45′W / 55.68°N 5.75°W / 55.68; -5.75
Physical geography
Island group Islay
Area 1,395 hectares (5.39 sq mi)
Area rank 41 
Highest elevation Creag Bhàn 100 metres (328 ft)
Administration
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Country Scotland
Council area Argyll and Bute
Demographics
Population 163
Population rank 37 
Population density 11.7 people/km2
Largest settlement Ardminish
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References

Gigha (/ˈɡə/; Scottish Gaelic: Giogha) is a small island off the west coast of Kintyre in Scotland. The island forms part of Argyll and Bute and has a population of about 160 people. The climate is mild with higher than average sunshine hours and the soils are fertile.

Gigha has been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times. It may have had an important role during the Kingdom of Dalriada and is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeill. It fell under the control of the Norse and the Lords of the Isles before becoming incorporated into modern Scotland and saw a variety of conflicts during the medieval period.

The population of Gigha peaked at over 700 in the eighteenth century, but during the 20th century the island had numerous owners, which caused various problems in developing the island. By the beginning of the 21st century the population had fallen to 98. However a "community buy-out" in 2002 has transformed the island, which now has a growing population and a variety of new commercial activities to complement farming and tourism.

Attractions on the island include Achamore Gardens and the abundant wildlife, especially seabirds. There have been numerous shipwrecks on the surrounding rocks and skerries.

The Hebrides have been occupied by the speakers of at least four languages since the Iron Age, and many of the names of these islands have more than one possible meaning as a result. Many modern authorities hold that the name "Gigha" is probably derived either from the Norse Guðey or from Gud-øy, meaning either "good island" or "God island". The Norse historical text Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar explicitly calls the island Guðey.


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