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The Isle of Gigha is the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands. Seven miles long by a mile and a half wide, Gigha is situated three miles west of the Kintyre peninsular, approximately three hours drive from the City of Glasgow. For many decades Gigha had been in decline, a fact reflected in a falling population. In the early 1970's there were nearly 200 inhabitants by 2002 there were less than 100. Where there had been 30 children in the school there were now 7, where once there were 10 farms 3 remained.
On the 15th March the islanders of Gigha took the historical step of buying their island (signalling Latha Ghiogha - a new dawn), ensuring that for all time Gigha would be held in trust for the benefit of all.
The Scottish Land Fund of the National Lottery’s New Opportunities Fund and Highlands & Islands Enterprise assisted the islanders.
Already much has been achieved. With returning islanders and new islanders the population has grown to 130. This school term there will be 15 primary pupils when previously there were 7. New businesses have been created and others are to relocate to new purpose built craft units, a major improvement programme for the island's housing is well underway, new homes to let are being built and a further five households have been building their own homes. The community have built a wind farm – the first community owned grid connected in the UK allowing us to generate our own electricity as well as supply the national grid.
