Gigha

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Gigha
Gaelic: Giogha

Inner Hebrides
(Argyllshire)


The twin beaches at Eilean Garbh, Gigha
Main settlement: Ardminish
Location

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Location: 55°40’48"N, 5°45’0"W
Grid reference: NR647498
Area: 3,447 acres
Highest point: Creag Bhàn 328 feet
Data
Population: 110

Gigha (ˈɡiːə) is a small island off the west coast of the Kintyre peninsula of Argyllshire, with a population of about 110. The climate is mild with higher than average sunshine hours and the soils are fertile.

Gigha has a long history, and has apparently 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. As with all of the Inner Hebrides, Gigha fell under the control of the Norse and the Lords of the Isles in the Middle Ages and this little island saw a variety of conflicts during that 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 resident numbers had fallen to only 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.

Name

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".[1][2][3] The Norse historical text Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar explicitly calls the island Guðey.[4]

Keay and Keay (1994) and Haswell-Smith (2004) suggest the Gaelic name is derived instead from Gjáey, meaning "island of the geo" or "cleft",[5][2] but against this theory, the Norse gjá normally shows up in Gaelic in the form of geodha. Czerkawaska (2006) also notes that the isle is called "Gug" in a charter of 1309 and also appears as "Gega" on some old maps. Haswell-Smith (2004) also offers the possibility of Gydha's isle after the Norse female name.[2]

A Gigha resident is a Gioghach, also nicknamed a gamhainn ("stirk"). Although the most widespread pronunciation of the Gaelic name Giogha is kʲi.ə, the Southern dialects preserve the fricative: kʲiɣa in Kintyre[6] and kʲɯɣɑ in Argyllshire.[7]

Geography and geology

Creag Bhàn, the highest hill on the island

Gigha lies three miles off the coast of Kintyre and is six miles long in a roughly north-south direction and a maximum of 1.6 miles wide. The total area is 3,447 acres and the highest elevation of Creag Bhàn reaches only 328 feet

The island has a rocky central spine, which is composed of epidiorite with basalt intrusions.[5][2][8]

The main village of Gigha is Ardminish which is on the south east coast and offers a small anchorage in the sheltered Ardminish Bay. Further to the north is Druimyeon Bay and beyond that West and East Tarbert Bays which (as their names imply) lie astride a small isthmus.

The climate is mild with higher than average sunshine hours and minimum temperatures, and lower than average days of ground frost for the region.[1][2] Annual rainfall is typically between 39.4 inches and 50.8 inches.

Surrounding islands

Cara Island lies just offshore to the south, the smaller Craro island lies to the west and Gigalum to the south east. A sandy spit connects Gigha to Eilean Garbh in the north-west. To the north are the rocks called An Dubh Sgeir (a common name meaning "black rock") and Gamhna Giogha. The Sound of Gigha separates Gigha and its attendant isles from mainland Kintyre.[8]

To the west and northwest respectively, are the two large islands of Islay and Jura. South west are Rathlin Island (County Antrim) and the north coast of Ulster, which can be seen from Gigha on clear days.[9] Between Jura and Gigha are the rocks of Na Cuiltean and Skervuile Lighthouse.

Between Gigha and Port Ellen on Islay is the Isle of Texa. Eilean Mòr, and the Danna are little further up the Argyll coast to the north.

There are also many small rocks and skerries (small rock islands) in the seas around Gigha. Asked by a tourist if he knew where they all were, local resident Willie McSporran (see below) replied "No, but I know where they aren't and that's good enough for me".[10]

History

Gigha has been inhabited continuously since prehistoric times, and there are several standing stones on the island. There are many other archaeological sites, including cairns, standing stones, duns and an ogham stone near to Kilchattan, which has not been deciphered.[5][11]

The Ogham stone

In the Early Historic Period The domain of the Cenél nGabraín appears to have been centred on Kintyre and Knapdale and may have included Arran, Jura and Gigha. The title “king of Kintyre” is used of a number of presumed kings of the Cenél nGabrain.[12][13]

There is some evidence to show that the island might have been the seat of power for Conall mac Comgall, King of Dalriada, in the mid to late 6th century. The Annals of Tigernach refer to a Battle of Delgon (later Cindeglen) in 574, and this has been identified as taking place on Gigha, then referred to as Eilean da Ghallagan,[14][15] although other sources believe the battle took place in Kintyre.

Norse period

An illustration of Hákon, King of Norway, and Skule Bårdsson, from Flateyjarbók

The island was part of the Norse Kingdom of the Isles and its name appears to be Norse in origin, although its meaning is disputed. Several other placenames in the vicinity echo the Norse tongue, such as Gigalum ("Gigha - holm") and Cnoc Haco (possibly "Haakon's hill").[16] In 1849, a Viking grave was found at East Tarbert Bay, which revealed a number of artefacts, including a bronze weighing balance dated to the 10th century.[5][17]

Before the Battle of Largs, Haakon IV of Norway is said to have visited the island.[5] According to Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar ("The Saga of Haakon Haakonsson") written by Icelander Sturla Þórðarson in the 1260s:

King Haco sailed afterwards south to Guðey before Kintyre where he anchored. There King John met him; he came in the ship with Bishop Thorgil. King Haco desired him to follow his banner as he should do. But King John excused himself. He said he had sworn an oath to the Scottish King, and held of him more lands than of the Norwegian Monarch; he therefore entreated King Haco to dispose of all those estates which he had conferred upon him. King Haco kept him with him some time, and endeavoured to incline his mind to fidelity. Many laid imputations to his charge. King Haco indeed had before received bad accounts of him from the Hebrides; for John Langlife-son came to the King, while he was sailing west from Shetland, and told him the news that John King of the Hebrides, breaking his faith, had turned to the Scottish Monarch. King Haco, however, would not believe this till he had found it so.”

During King Haco's stay at Guðey an Abbot of a monastery of Greyfriars waited on him, begging protection for their dwelling, and Holy Church: and this the King granted them in writing.

Friar Simon had lain sick for some time. He died at Guðey. His corpse was afterwards carried up to Kintire where the Greyfriars interred him in their Church. They spread a fringed pall over his grave, and called him a Saint.[18]

Middle Ages: the MacNeills

Gigha is the ancestral home of the Clan MacNeill, which has a clan badge distinct different from that of the better known Clan MacNeil of Barra who share the same Chief.[19] The origin of the MacNeills of Taynish, Gigha and Colonsay is obscure but they were hereditary keepers of Castle Sween under the Lords of the Isles during the 15th and 16th centuries.

The MacNeill of Gigha, was known as the "chief and principal of the clan and surname of Macnelis" in 1530. However, as the power of the Campbells grew and spread into the Inner Hebrides, the influence of the MacNeills of Gigha decreased. At about this time the MacNeils on more remote island of Barra, far removed from Campbell power, began to grow in prominence and for a long time since have been regarded as "Chief of the Clan and Name".[20]

In 1449 Alexander, Lord of the Isles granted part of the island to Torquil MacNeill of Taynish, the remainder being owned by the monks of Paisley. In 1493 the whole island came under MacNeill control and it remained in their hands, with various brief interludes, until the 19th century. This prize was by no means without its hazards. In 1530 the notorious pirate Ailean nan Sop murdered MacNeill of Taynish and numerous island residents. A dozen years later the title deeds were lost when eleven gentlemen of Gigha were slain by raiders.[2]

Early modern period

In 1554 the MacNeills relinquished their Gigha holdings to the MacDonalds, but the conflicts intensified, now between the MacDonalds and the Macleans of Duart. In 1567 Gigha was ravaged by the Macleans[21] and by 1587, atrocities committed between warring West Highland clans had escalated to such an extent that Parliament devised what is known as the General Band in an effort to quell hostilities, though still Lachlan Mor MacLean of Duart ravaged Islay and Gigha, slaughtering 500 to 600 men, then besieged Angus MacDonald at his Castle Dunivaig on Islay.

Blaeu's 1654 Atlas (north to the right and Gigha centre)

The siege was lifted when the MacDonald agreed to surrender half his lands on Islay to the MacLean, but once releleased, MacDonald invaded the MacLean islands of Mull, Tiree, Coll and Luing, aided by Donald Gorm Mor MacDonald of Sleat and the MacDonalds of Clanranald, MacIains of Ardnamurchan, MacLeods of Lewis, MacNeills of Gigha, MacAlisters of Loup and the Macfies of Colonsay. Supporting the MacLean were the MacLeods of Harris and Dunvegan, MacNeils of Barra, MacKinnons of Strathrodle and the MacQuarries of Ulva.[22]

In 1590, Angus of Islay sold out to John Campbell of Cawdor, a junior cousin of the Earl of Argyll. In a move that may well have been pre-arranged Campbell then immediately resold back to Neil MacNeill of Taynish.[23][24] The church at Kilchattan that dates from this period has some "intricately carved mediæval grave slabs".[5]

17th century

Gigha and Cara parish church

Visiting in the late 17th century, Martin Martin wrote:

This isle is for the most part arable, but rocky in other parts; the mould is brown and clayey, inclining to red; it is good for pasturage and cultivation. The corn growing here is oats and barley. The cattle bred here are cows, horses, and sheep. There is a church in this island called Kilchattan, it has an altar in the east end, and upon it a font of stone which is very large, and hath a small hole in the middle which goes quite through it. There are several tombstones in and about this church; the family of the Macneils, the principal possessors of this isle, are buried under the tombstones on the east side the church, where there is a plot of ground set apart for them. Most of all the tombs have a two-handed sword engraven on them, and there is one that has the representation of a man upon it... This isle affords no wood of any kind, but a few bushes of juniper on the little hills.[25]

King William III visited the island in 1689. The MacNeill remained loyal to the crown thereafter, and stood by King George II during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.[2]

Modern period

In the eighteenth century the population of Gigha peaked at over 600, but had declined to just under 400 by the close of the 19th century. After half of millennium of association, the MacNeills sold the isle for £49,000 to James Williams Scarlett, a nephew of James Scarlett, 1st Baron Abinger in 1865. His son, Lieutenant-Colonel William James Scarlett built the mansion house of Achamore and Gigha remained in the family's hands until 1919.[26]

During the 20th century the island had various other owners. Major John Allen bought the island from the Scarletts and sold it to the Richard Hamer in 1937, before passing ownership during Second World War to his brother-in-law, Somerset de Chair,[27] who in turn sold to Sir James Horlick in 1944.[28] Horlick is recalled as a generous owner who encouraged dairy farming and created the gardens of Achamore. David Landale then purchased it from the Horlick estate in 1973 retaining it until 1989, during which time he created a fish farm, which now specialises in halibut with a growing international reputation.[29] Over the years little further development took place and some owners are recalled less fondly.[2][30] The island briefly passed into the hands of Malcolm Potier, a property developer,[31] and subsequently to Derek Holt and his family prior to the sale to the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.[32] By the 1960s resident numbers had fallen to 163 and by the beginning of the 21st century the population was reduced to only 98 and the housing stock was in poor condition.[33][34]

MV Loch Ranza at Tayinloan

Community buy-out

In March 2002 the islanders obtained money (granted and lent) from the National Lottery fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to purchase the island for £4 million. They now own it through a development trust called the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.[35] As a result 15 March, the day when the purchase went through, is celebrated as the island's "independence day".[36]

£1 million of the financial support was in the form of a short-term loan. The money to pay this loan back was largely raised by selling Achamore House (but not the gardens) to Don Dennis, a businessman from California. Dennis now operates a flower essences importing business and a boat tours company from the house, which is also rented out as a Bed and Breakfast business.[37] An additional £200,000 was raised by the islanders through various fundraising ventures, allowing the loan to be paid back to the Scottish Land Fund on 15 March 2004.[38]

Since the community buy out several other private businesses have sprung up on Gigha providing a boost to the local economy, including the multi-award winning Boathouse Café Bar. The island's population and economy has begun to recover as a result of these activities.[39]

Economy

The Gigha Hotel, Ardminish

Gigha's economy is largely dependent on livestock farming, tourism and some limited fishing. There have been some moves to diversify the economy since the community buy-out. There is also a fish farm on the island, and small scale fishing.[5]

902 acres of arable land are farmed and relative to its size it is the most fertile and productive island in the Hebrides. Ayrshire cattle are kept on the island and goat's cheese is also produced. The Achamore creamery was closed during the 1980s, but has been successively revived.[5]

In October 2006 it was announced[33] that the population had reached 150 - a rise of more than 50 per cent since the 2002 buy-out. Willie McSporran, former chairman of the Heritage Trust, was quoted as saying: "The trust turned 300 years of population decline on its head by encouraging new development and the growth of the local economy. A sign of the surge of people wanting to relocate to Gigha is that we are struggling to meet the demand for housing despite building 18 new homes."

The issues of island ownership are not unique to Gigha and consequently the island has been highlighted in an edition of the BBC series, Countryfile.

Wind turbines

The Heritage Trust set up Gigha Renewable Energy Ltd. to buy and operate three Vestas V27 wind turbines, known locally as The Dancing Ladies or Creideas, Dòchas is Carthannas (Gaelic for Faith, Hope and Charity).[40] They were commissioned on 21 January 2005 and are capable of generating up to 675 kW of power. Revenue is produced by selling the electricity to the grid by way of an intermediary called Green Energy UK. Gigha residents control the whole project and profits are reinvested in the community.[41]

Attractions

Attractions on the island include the 50 acres Achamore Gardens, begun in 1945 by Sir James Horlick and known for its rhododendrons and azaleas, the many sandy beaches and the thirteenth century St Catan's Chapel ruins. There is also a nine-hole golf course.[1][42]

Wildlife

Gigalum Island from Gigha

Because it is set on the eastern shores of the Atlantic Ocean, Gigha attracts a wide variety of sea birds such as guillemot and eider, which breed on Eilean Garbh. Inland, ducks such as mallard, teal, wigeon and pochard can be found along with heron, snipe, pheasant and red grouse. The hooded crow and jackdaw are present in considerable numbers, but geese are only occasional visitors. Mammals are under-represented; there are no red deer, stoat, weasel, red fox nor hare.

In the mid-20th century Gigha had eight boats engaged in fishing for cod and lobster, but commercial activity ceased some time ago.[43]

Shipwrecks

The wreck of the Kartli

Gigha's coasts have seen numerous wrecks. In August 1886 the Staffa ran aground on Cath Sgier west of Craro. The ship remained on the reef in calm overnight conditions and all crew and 21 passengers were rescued the following morning. On 8 April 1894 the steamship Udea was lost on the same rocks with a cargo of coal and iron. Owned by David MacBrayne, she was en route from Glasgow to Lewis at the time. On 16 September 1940 the British steam liner Aska was bombed by a German aircraft south of Gigha whilst carrying French troops from the Gambia. Twelve crewmen died in the attack and 75 survivors were successfully picked up by trawlers. On fire, the Aska drifted onto Cara and was wrecked there. Four years later the Mon Cousu was deliberately sunk in the Sound of Gigha and used for bombing practice. In 1991 the Russian factory ship Kartli was hit by two freak waves off Islay and ran aground at Port Ban after the crew were evacuated. Forty seven crew members were air-lifted to safety but four men were killed in the accident.[44]

Outside links

 ("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Gigha)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Murray (1977) pp. 115–16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Haswell-Smith (2004) pp. 37–41.
  3. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) pp. 35–36.
  4. ↑ Hákonar saga Hákonarsonar § 328, line 8, "Then King Hakon sailed south long Kintyre and lay at the place that is called Guðey" and § 329, line 7, "Then they went out under Guðey, to King Hakon"; see A. O. Anderson, Early Sources, vol. ii, pp. 617, 620
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Keay & Keay (1994) p. 423.
  6. ↑ Holmer, N. The Gaelic of Kintyre Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Dublin 1962, p.7
  7. ↑ Holmer, N. Studies on Argyllshire Gaelic K. Humnistiska Vetenskaps, Uppsala 1938, p.175
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Explorer 357: Kintyre North, Knapdale South & Isle of Gigha. (2001) Southampton. Ordnance Survey.
  9. ↑ Murray (1966) p. 2.
  10. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) p. 189.
  11. ↑ It is badly weathered and the etching is probably a name on a tombstone. Various attempts have been made to decipher it for example "Vicula Maq Comgini" (Fiacal, son of Coemgen). See Czerkawaska (2006) p. 99.
  12. ↑ Thomson (1994) p. 40 Cenél nGabrain
  13. ↑ Grimble (1985) p. 9 Chap. 2 Isles of the Saints
  14. ↑ McLeod, John "Remarks on the Supposed Site of Delgon or Cindelgen, the Seat of Connal, King of Dalriada, AD 563." (December 1983) (pdf) Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Retrieved 18 March 2007. The Scottish antiquarian W.F. Skene originally identified this battle site as being in west Knapdale. He later revised his opinion on evidence presented to him by the archaeologist Hugh Maclean of Tarbet.
  15. ↑ Innes, C. (1832)"Syllabus of Scottish Cartularies" (pdf) Retrieved 28 June 2007.
  16. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) pp. 115–16.
  17. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) p. 113.
  18. ↑ "The Norwegian account of Haco's expedition against Scotland, A.D. MCCLXIII." Project Gutenberg. Retrieved 1 October 2008.
  19. ↑ "MacNeill of Colonsay" ScotClans. Retrieved 6 April 2007.
  20. ↑ *Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Iain. The Highland Clans. London. Barrie & Rockliff. 1967.
  21. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) p. 130.
  22. ↑ Roberts (1999) pp. 91—92.
  23. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) p. 131.
  24. ↑ Grimble (1985) p. 45 Chap. 5 Campbell Takeover
  25. ↑ Martin (1703) "The Isle Gigha".
  26. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) pp. 179-80
  27. ↑ "Somerset de Chair". everything2.com. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  28. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) p. 181
  29. ↑ Ross, David (20 Sep 2008) "Out to make a splash in the market". Glasgow. The Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  30. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) pp. 213-214.
  31. ↑ Farquharson, Kenny (8 Oct 2006) "The laird who fell from grace". London. The Times. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  32. ↑ Womersley, Tara (30 Oct 2001) "Now Gigha's owner must decide on bids". London. The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Ross, J (2006-10-13). "Island of opportunity welcomes a population explosion". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotlandspopulation/Island-of-opportunity-welcomes-a.2818002.jp. Retrieved 2007-07-11. 
  34. ↑ Czerkawaska (2006) pp. 214-215.
  35. ↑ Isle of Gigha website
  36. ↑ "Island officially changes hands". BBC News Online. 15 March 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1873930.stm. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  37. ↑ Linda Gannell (19 September 2007). "Besting Mick Jagger". The New York Times Great Homes. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/realestate/greathomes/19gh-scotland.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1190257400-YHqE4xhVGGclCiD+y8fraw. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  38. ↑ ’’How Gigha was bought by the community’’ - Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust
  39. ↑ "The History of Gigha" Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust
  40. ↑ "Let's Talk Renewables" (PDF). HIE. Archived from the original on 2008-04-07. http://web.archive.org/web/20080407011013/http://www.hi-energy.org.uk/Lets-Talk-Renewables/letstalkrenewables-spring2007.pdf. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
  41. ↑ "Green Energy press release". greenenergy.uk.com. 26 January 2005. http://www.greenenergy.uk.com/sitecontent/viewpressrelease.aspx?id=94. Retrieved 2007-02-01. 
  42. ↑ "Gigha Today" Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust. Retrieved 9 September 2008. Gigha Boats and Activity Centre is another new enterprise brought to the island following the buy out - allowing tourists and islanders alike to get a fresh perspective on the island and to discover seals, dolphins and other wildlife that surrounds it. See "Gigha Boats Activity Centre" Gigha.net. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  43. ↑ Murray (1966) pp. 65–66.
  44. ↑ Baird (1995) pp. 98–102.

Books

  • Alan Orr Anderson (1922). Early Sources of Scottish History A.D. 500 to 1286. ii. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd. 
  • Baird, Bob (1995) Shipwrecks of the West of Scotland. Glasgow. Nekton Books. ISBN 1-897995-02-4
  • Czerkawaska, Catherine (2006) God's Islanders: A History of the People of Gigha. Edinburgh. Birlinn. ISBN 1-84158-297-2
  • Grimble, Ian (1985) Scottish Islands British Broadcasting Corporation (London) ISBN 0-563-20361-7
  • Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543. 
  • Keay, J. & Keay, J. (1994) Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. London. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-255082-2
  • Martin, Martin (1703) "A Voyage to St. Kilda" in A Description of The Western Islands of Scotland, Appin Regiment/Appin Historical Society. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  • Murray, W H (1966) The Hebrides. London. Heinemann.
  • Murray, W H (1973) The Islands of Western Scotland. London. Eyre Methuen.
  • Murray, W H (1977) The Companion Guide to the West Highlands of Scotland. London. Collins.
  • Roberts, John L. (1999) Feuds, Forays and Rebellions: History of the Highland Clans, 1475-1625. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 0-7486-6244-8
  • Soars, Liz and John (2006) New Headway Elementary 3rd Edition. Oxford. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-471509-6
  • Thomson, Derick (ed.) (1994) The Companion to Gaelic Scotland. Glasgow. Gairm. ISBN 1-871901-31-6
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