The Oa facts for kids
The Oa (pronounced "OH-uh") is a rocky piece of land, like a finger sticking out into the sea, on the southwest side of Islay island in Scotland. It's a special place because it's a RSPB nature reserve, which means it's protected for birds and other wildlife.
Exploring The Oa Peninsula
The Oa peninsula is shaped a bit like a circle. It connects to the rest of Islay by a narrow strip of land. This strip runs between the villages of Kintra and Port Ellen. The highest point on The Oa is a hill called Beinn Mhòr, which is about 202 meters (663 feet) tall.
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, in 1830, about 800 people lived on The Oa. However, the area became empty because of something called the Highland Clearances. This was a time when many people in the Scottish Highlands and islands were forced to leave their homes. Their landlords wanted to use the land for sheep farming instead.
The American Monument
On the southern coast of The Oa, you can find the American Monument. The American Red Cross built this monument to remember two ships that sank in 1918. These ships were the Tuscania and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Otranto. Many lives were lost when these ships went down during World War I.
Wildlife and Nature
The area around the monument is part of the RSPB nature reserve. It's a fantastic place to spot many different birds. You might see choughs, which are special crow-like birds with red beaks and legs. Golden eagles, corn crakes, and various sea birds also live here.
About 1,931 hectares (4,772 acres) of The Oa have been set aside as a Special Protection Area. This is to help protect the chough, making sure these unique birds have a safe home.
On a clear day, if you look out from the south coast of The Oa, you can even see the country of Ireland across the sea!
