Imbolc Experience at Edgelands
Date and time is TBD
|Isle of Gigha
Join us for the day on the beautiful Isle of Gigha as we celebrate the first signs of spring and the Festival of Imbolc with a farmland & coastal walking tour, light lunch and creative session of Brìghde cross weaving! *Seasonally Available :: To Book Contact Our Events Team*
Time & Location
Date and time is TBD
Isle of Gigha, Isle of Gigha PA41 7AA, UK
About the Event
Our Wild Walks: Wheel Around the Sun event series at Edgelands offers unique cultural tours and events in the wilds of our home island of Gigha. Join us as we celebrate our beautiful island landscapes throughout the Celtic Solar Year; from the first emergence of spring and full bloom of the Summer Solstice to the feasting delights of Autumn’s First Harvest.
Our Imbolc Experience offers a day of early springtime activities including a farmland & coastal walking tour, lunch and session of Brìghde cross weaving! Interwoven with gentle and mindful, multi-sensory storytelling, encounters with Gigha’s abundant plant and wildlife, outdoor eats and creative activities, our Imbolc Experience invites you to fully immerse yourself in the rhythms of the season.
Find out more about our Wheel Around the Sun Series here.
FEBRUARY & MARCH 2026 :: This Day Experience is available to book from February 1st until the 19th March 2026 as a Private Event including for Family Groups : contact our Events Team for more information here.
Our Leim Cultural Walking Tour boasts breathtaking views of Islay, Jura and the Atlantic Ocean along shoreline and farmland trails known for their marine life; from whales and otters to a diverse array of sea birds. Wind your way along Gigha's South-Western coast towards Cnoc a’ Shevis and the stone figures of the Bodach and Cailleach and onward through secluded forests to the sandy beaches of Grob Bagh.
On this tour you will learn from the island through the lens of Gaelic language as we introduce you to our beautiful landscapes and culturally significant wild plants; sharing with you their unique teachings and gifts; from the medicinal and technological to the edible. Our Imbolc walks focus on meeting plants that are capable of nourishing the human body and enriching the spirit as winter months start to give way to spring. Learn how islanders up and down Scotland's West Coast have formed relationships with plants over millennia in order to survive the Hungry Gap of winter.
Our tour will also include time to explore the beaches at Gròb Bàgh and a light lunch featuring home grown, locally sourced and wild harvested produce and drinks! During our time together you will also have the opportunity to sample a series of hot & cold infusions and snacks featuring wild plants that will nourish your body and spirit.
At the time of Imbolc the island is slowly waking up from a long winter. Come rain or shine spring is slowly emerging. The day also includes a Brìghde cross weaving session on the beach where we will introduce you to the many stories and traditions associated with the Festival of Imbolc and teach you about luachair (Common Rush) and its traditional uses of in Gaelic culture including Brìghde cross weaving! Create your own woven Brìghde cross with luachair and natural dyed ribbons and yarns.
What's Included?
Guided walk with qualified outdoor cultural practitioners interwoven with gentle and mindful, multi-sensory storytelling.
An introduction to Gigha and its unique ecosystems that will also touch upon the island's natural and cultural history.
An introduction to the Celtic Wheel of the Year as well as its significance to the agricultural year on Gigha and our connections to our surrounding landscapes.
Learn about over 15 culturally significant plants for the time of year, their Gaelic names and traditional uses; from food and medicine to tools and cultural objects.
An Outdoor Tasting Session where you will get to sample a series of hot & cold infusions and snacks featuring wild plants that will nourish your body and spirit.
A beautiful light lunch featuring home grown, locally sourced and wild harvested produce and drinks. *We cater to all dietary requirements: Please fill out a form at checkout.*
A weaving session where you will create your own Brìghde cross with soft rush, natural dyed ribbons and yarns.
Free Ferry/Airstrip/Pontoon/CarPark Pick Up/Drop Off Service for those who require assistance *Subject to Availability & Advance Booking Required*
Duration
5 hrs*
Including 5km Coastal and Farmland Walk (2.5hrs)*
Our walks are designed to be enjoyed at a slow pace to create more opportunities to appreciate Gigha’s abundant biodiversity.
*Customisable length
Suitable For
Adults Only
*If you would like to book this experience for a family group please contact our Events Team for more information here.*
Location and Walking Site
Leim Beach Walking Trail
This event will start at the Isle of Gigha Village Hall [What3Words: leaves.evidently.deprives] with an introduction to our day. We will then set off on our Cultural Walking Tour where we will walk through farmlands along the South-Western coast of the island to Gròb Bàgh Beach where we will spend the day.
This tour includes walking the full Spring Bank Walking Trail and a section of the Southern Loop Walking Trail down to the Beach. It does not include the full length of the Southern Loop. For details of this full trail see Gateway to Gigha: Trail 12 & 11. For information on Guided Tours of Achamore Gardens see here.
Terrain Conditions Include: a mixture of farm tracks with rough stones, aggregate multi use pathways, natural trod paths and sand/rocky beaches. This walk will include walking through active farming fields and close proximity to livestock.
Please see our Essential List for recommendations on how to prepare for this walking tour/event.
Access & Toilets
Please be aware whilst traveling around Gigha the nearest public toilets are located at the Ferry Terminal and at Achamore Gardens (entry by donation). A toilet tent located at the beach will be provided for our customers' use.
Car: 5 min from Ferry Terminal. The nearest Car Parking facilities are available at the Isle of Gigha Village Hall. Please check Visit Gigha Tourism Website for the most up-to-date travel advice and advisories for car users.
Bike: 10-20 min from Ferry Terminal. Bikes and E-bikes are available to rent at Gigha Boast and Activity Centre *Subject to Seasonal Operating Hours*. Advanced booking is essential during peak season.
On Foot: 20-35 min. If you are visiting Gigha on foot and would like to organise a pick up to the Isle of Gigha Village Hall and back please get in touch.
By Boat: If you are visiting Gigha by boat and would like to organise a pick up from the Moorings & Pontoons to the Isle of Gigha Village Hall and back please get in touch.
By Air: If you are visiting Gigha by plane, helicopter or microlite and would like to organise a pick up from the Air Strip to the Isle of Gigha Village Hall and back please get in touch.
Guest Protocol and Essentials List
Please bring sturdy and waterproof footwear, weather appropriate clothing [we always recommend layers as you can adjust as you walk], your own water, insect repellent and sunscreen. Any essential medications.
Our events and walking tours start promptly. We recommend arriving 10-15 min before the event starts to allow time to get ready for the walk and gather together.
In order to make our walks a safe and enjoyable space for everyone, including at-risk wildlife and free roaming cows and sheep on the island, we are not able to accommodate dogs on our walks. If you require the support of a service animal for any of our events please contact us to discuss a tailored booking.
Please note that the location of our walks may change if ground conditions dictate in order for us to deliver a safe and relaxing experience for you. There are many amazing walking sites on Gigha and should there be a change in the walking site, we will get in touch to inform you of the change. For full details see our Event Terms of Service here.
Before Visiting the Isle of Gigha please familiarise yourself with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Have Questions? Check out our FAQ's Page or contact the Event Team to find out more.
Events at Edgelands
Explore our range of private and public events and workshops.
Public & Private Event Bookings
Interested in booking this tour as a private event? Need help with your ticket or have questions about this event? Simply contact our Events Team and we can assist you with your enquiries or check out our FAQ's Page.
