A long-held ambition was realised earlier this month when SURSA Garden Visits’ Group visited Gigha. 27 of us went by coach to Inveraray where we had lunch and then on to Tayinloan where we took the ferry for the 20 minute journey to Gigha. There were too many of us to be accommodated in the only hotel so some stayed in self-catering houses about half a mile away.
On the first afternoon we visted Achamore Gardens where we had a very good talk by the Head Gardener who also took us on a tour of the gardens. The gardens have deteriorated since the days when the Horlicks Family lived there and the Head Gardener explained his plans for restoring the plants, improving the drainage etc. He showed us the rhododendron, called Mrs Horlicks, which was specially cultivated for the family and which is shown below. The garden tour ended at the viewpoint just above the walled garden which has a wonderful view of Jura and we had to tear ourselves away from it to go back to the hotel for dinner.
The next morning we had a few hours to explore the island and enjoy a beautiful little beach of white sand which was home to red shanks and ring plovers foraging on the shore, whitethroats singing from the gorse and gannets patrolling in the Sound. Then we went back to the mainland on the ferry and drove up the coast to Crarae Garden, a National Trust Property overlooking Loch Fyne. This is a beautifully kept garden set on various levels round a burn with waterfalls, little bridges and attractive paths and all complemented by a magnificent display of rhododendrons and azaleas in glorious flower. After lunch in Inveraray we set off for home.
Gigha had been on our list of places to see for almost five years and it did not disappoint. The fact that we had good weather throughout was a real bonus.
Stephanie Tytler
May 2013