Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust

The Isle of Gigha was put on the market in 2001 and the community were encouraged to purchase and own the island. Gigha was handed over to the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust (IGHT) on the 15th March 2002 – a day that is marked on the island every year as ‘Gigha Day’.

The Trust is managed by a Board of voluntary Directors. They are elected by the membership to develop the assets of the island and take forward plans and projects for the community. Gigha has changed substantially since the buy-out and while the beauty of the island is as timeless as ever, the facilities and infrastructure has steadily improved and the population decline has been reversed with over 160 people now living on Gigha with an increased school role promising well for the future.

The purpose of the Trust is to support the community through both social and economic development. The Trust manages 30 residential houses and owns 4 working farms. The Trust also owns the local Hotel, shop and fuel pumps, Boathouse restaurant, 3 craft units, Activity Centre, 5 self-catering units, and Achamore Gardens, which is a 54-acre public garden. The Trust has 3 subsidiary companies which manage assets such as the new camp and motorhome site, mooring and pontoon facilities, airstrip, and 4 wind turbines. These companies are in place to generate trading profits which is then donated to the Trust to support its charitable activities.