Rinns of Islay

The Rinns of Islay (Scottish Gaelic: Na Roinn Ìleach; alternative English spelling Rhinns of Islay) is an area on the west of the island of Islay in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.

Looking across the eastern part of the Rinns from Beinn Tart A' Mhill, the highest point in the area, across the seaward end of Loch Indaal towards the Mull of Oa

Rinns of Islay Lighthouse
Orsay

Orsay Lighthouse
Argyll and Bute
Location	Orsay Isle Islay Inner Hebrides Scotland United Kingdom
Coordinates	55.673122°N 6.513112°W / 55.673122; -6.513112
Year first constructed	1825
Automated	1998
Construction	masonry tower
Tower shape	cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern	white tower, black lantern, ochre trim
Tower height	29 metres (95 ft)
Focal height	46 metres (151 ft)
Light source	solar power
Intensity	600.000 candela
Range	24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 5s.
Admiralty number	A4256
NGA number	4232
ARLHS number	SCO-184
Managing agent	Northern Lighthouse Board[1][2]
Heritage	Site of Special Scientific Interest
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Rinns of Islay
Designated	25 April 1990
Reference no.	466[3]

It is a peninsula that is attached to the main body of the island by a narrow isthmus towards its northern end. The main population centres are Port Charlotte and Portnahaven, based on the A847 that runs along its eastern coast.

It is designated a Special Protection Area due to its importance for a number of breeding and wintering birds, particularly Greenland white-fronted goose and chough. The significance of the area owes much to its wide variety of habitats including bog, moorland, dune grassland, maritime grassland, marsh and extensively-farmed agricultural land.

The Rinns of Islay lighthouse is located on the island of Orsay.

The Rhinns complex, a deformed igneous complex that is considered to form the basement to the Colonsay Group of metasedimentary rocks takes its name from the Rhinns of Islay.