Rinns of Islay facts for kids
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| Orsay Lighthouse | |
 Rinns of Islay Lighthouse
Orsay Location in Argyll and Bute
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| Location | Orsay Isle Islay Inner Hebrides Scotland United Kingdom |
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| Coordinates | 55°40′23″N 6°30′47″W / 55.673122°N 6.513112°W |
| 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 |
| Height | 29 metres (95 ft) |
| Focal height | 46 metres (151 ft) |
| 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 |
The Rinns of Islay (in Scottish Gaelic: Na Roinn Ìleach) is a special area on the western side of the island of Islay. Islay is one of the Inner Hebrides islands in Scotland.
It's like a long arm of land, also known as a peninsula. This peninsula is connected to the main part of Islay by a narrow strip of land called an isthmus. This narrow strip is located towards the northern end of the Rinns.
Living in the Rinns
The main towns in the Rinns of Islay are Port Charlotte and Portnahaven. These towns are found along the A847 road, which runs along the eastern coast of the peninsula.
A Home for Wildlife
The Rinns of Islay is a very important place for nature. It has been named a Special Protection Area. This means it's protected because many birds live here, especially during breeding season and in winter.
Two important bird species found here are the Greenland white-fronted goose and the chough. The area is perfect for them because it has many different types of habitats. These include bogs, moorland, grassy sand dunes, coastal grasslands, marshes, and farmland.
The Orsay Lighthouse
The famous Rinns of Islay lighthouse stands on a small island called Orsay. This lighthouse helps guide ships safely past the coast. You can find more details about the lighthouse in the box at the top of this page.
Ancient Rocks of the Rinns
The Rinns of Islay is also known for its very old rocks. These rocks are part of something called the "Rhinns complex." This is a group of ancient igneous rocks that form the base of the land here. Scientists study these rocks to learn about the Earth's history.
