Tours around the
Isle of Gigha:
This tour takes
about one hour and 15 minutes, as we take you
around the coastline of Gigha and its
near neighbours: Craro, Gigalum and
Cara. Tours depart from the catwalk in
Ardminish Bay (by the Boathouse Café) or when
the tide is low, from the South Pier on Gigha.
The Thalassa has seating for 7 passengers inside
the cabin, and seating for 6 outside, so if the
weather is fine, the tour can be experienced
outside of the boat's cabin if you wish.
Around the
coastline of Gigha we will visit the site of one
shipwreck where part of the wreckage is
still visible. We will also see the Pigeon's
Cave (an old smuggling spot), the site of
the Spouting Cave, and the Queens'
Beach amongst other points of interest.
Craro
is home to the famous 'Bull of Craro', a
rock that rests on the south shoulder of the
island, looking north-east. Legend has it that a
few hundred years ago a boy's life was spared by
a pirate captain due to the boy being able to
say which direction the Bull of Craro faced,
thus identifying himself to the captain as a
native of Gigha.
Cara
is well-known locally for several reasons, not
least because of its dramatic southern cliff
(see photo below). Wild goats and countless
seabirds are not the only inhabitants of Cara: a
'brownie' also lives there. Known to
cause mischief to those who treat him with
disrespect, his grand Brownie's Chair can
be seen on the east side of the tall southern
hill of the island. We certainly advise that you
approach the brownie's domain with deference and
respect. There are many stories locally relating
to those who did not!
Gigalum is a small
island with no water, but (looked after by its 3
private owners) an unusual 8-sided house. Ask
the pilot to point out the curious rock
formation known to its owners as 'Hadrian's
Wall'.
The geology of
these islands is wonderful and dramatic, and the
views afforded by touring the island by
catamaran are tremendous! Colonies of
seagulls and shags abound, along with
swans and arctic terns and
guillemots. Sightings of dolphins are
not uncommon, while seals can be seen
normally at a few different spots around Gigha.
Be sure to bring your camera! |