Wild Walks : CARN BAN : Spring Equinox
Sat 21 Mar
|Isle of Gigha, United Kingdom
Join us this March & April on the beautiful Isle of Gigha as we celebrate the arrival of spring and the Spring Equinox with a coastal walking tour to one of Gigha’s oldest prehistoric monuments; Càrn Bàn. *Also Available for Private Bookings*
Time & Location
21 Mar 2026, 11:00 – 15:30
Isle of Gigha, United Kingdom
About the Event
Our Wild Walks: Wheel Around the Sun event series at Edgelands offers unique cultural tours 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 Walking Tours are interwoven with gentle and mindful, multi-sensory storytelling, encounters with Gigha’s abundant plant and wildlife, outdoor eats and creative activities that will invite you to fully immerse yourself in the rhythms of the season.
Find out more about our Wheel Around the Sun Series here.
MARCH & APRIL :: This Walking Tour is also available as a Private Booking: contact our Events Team for more information here.
Our Càrn Bàn Tour boasts breathtaking shore line views of Jura, the Kintyre and Knapdale Peninsulas and Arran’s highest peaks along shorelines that are known for their marine life from dolphins, to otters and a diverse array of sea birds. Wind your way along our North East Coast towards the prehistoric burial site of Càrn Bàn, across peat bog and colourful moorland, down sea cliff passageways, and through secluded beaches.
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.
Learn of the fascinating ancient peoples of Scotland’s West Coast, with a mindful guided tour of Càrn Bàn’s Early Bronze Age burial ground where we will share with you the story of its discovery, its early excavation, Bronze Age burial customs and rituals and the site's continued mysteries.
At the time of Spring Equinox the island is bursting with new life. This March & April our walks will include reflective activities that will connect you to the spring season as you explore land-based traditions associated with Scotland’s ancient solar calendar.
And finally, enjoy a series of beautiful outdoor eats, as we gather together to enjoy each other's company and share a light lunch, featuring home grown, locally sourced and wild harvested produce and drinks! Our tour ends with the chance to bird and dolphin watch on the rocky shores of Port a’ Chromain.
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 20 culturally significant plants for the time of year, their Gaelic names and traditional uses; from food and medicine to tools and cultural objects.
An intimate tour of one of Gigha’s oldest prehistoric monuments with mindful activities that will provide opportunities for quiet reflection and creativity.
A beautiful light lunch with refreshments. *We cater to all dietary requirements: Please fill out a form at checkout.*
Free Ferry/Airstrip/Pontoon Pick Up/Drop Off Service to/from the North End of the Island. *Subject to Availability & Advance Booking Required*
Duration
4.5 hrs, 2-3km Coastal and Moorland Walk
Our walks are designed to be enjoyed at a slow pace to create more opportunities to appreciate Gigha’s abundant biodiversity.
Please be aware that our Càrn Bàn Tour ends at Port a’ Chromain on our return journey and this time estimate does not include the short walk back to our starting point.
Suitable For
Adults Only
Our small, group public tours are perfect for those new to the island, to Gaelic language and to wild plants and are curated to offer a welcoming, friendly and informal environment - that will leave you inspired, restored and energised for each new season.
Location and Walking Site
Càrn Bàn Walking Trail
Our Tour will start at the Dark Skies Theatre [What3Words: fatherly.seaweed.pinks] at the North End of the Island, where we will walk along Gigha’s North and Eastern Coasts to Càrn Bàn & then and back to enjoy the best of the sea views and scenery.
Please be aware that our Càrn Bàn Tour ends at Port a’ Chromain [What3Words: blacken.chuckle.insisting] and will include a short walk back leaving extra time to chat or enjoy the beaches yourself before returning home. This tour does not include walking the full Northern Loop Walking Trail. For details of this full trail see Gateway to Gigha: Trail 4.
Terrain Conditions Include: sand beaches, trod paths and stepping stones, potentially wet and boggy ground, short inclines and will include some areas where you may need to climb over rocky shoreline.
Please see our Essential List for recommendations on how to prepare for this walking tour.
Access & Toilets
Please be aware that the nearest public toilets on Gigha are located at the Ferry Terminal and at Achamore Gardens (entry by donation). A toilet tent located near the North End will be provided for our customers' use after our tour concludes and can be accessed on the return walking segments of the route before reaching our original starting point at the Dark Skies Theatre.
Car: 10-15 min from Ferry Terminal. Please be aware that parking may be limited during the summer and parking in passing places is prohibited. Please check Visit Gigha Tourism Website for the most up to date travel advice and advisories for car users.
Bike: 25-40 min from Ferry Terminal. Bikes and E-bikes are available to rent at Gigha Boast and Activity Centre. Advanced booking is essential during peak season.
On Foot: 1hr 20-40min. If you are visiting Gigha on foot and would like to organise a pick up to the North End of the Island 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 North End 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 North End 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 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.
