We would like to use cookies to store information on your computer, to improve our website. One of the cookies we use is essential for parts of the site to operate and has already been set. You may delete and block all cookies from this site, but parts of the site will not work. To find out more about the cookies we use and how to delete them, see our Cookie Policy.

I accept cookies from this site.
Skip navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Joint Policy
  • Navigation
  • Information Centre
  • Supplying NLB
  • History
  • Commercial Services
Northern Lighthouse Board
Lighthouse Library
Details
Year Established1825EngineerRobert Stevenson  

Position Latitude 55° 40.390'N Longitude 006° 30.812'W

CharacterFlashing White every 5 secsElevation46 metres Nominal Range24 nautical miles StructureWhite tower 29 metres high. There are 131 steps to the top of towerCandle Power600,000  

Rinns of Islay

Rinns of Islay Map
Rinns of Islay
 

History

Rinns of Islay Lighthouse is situated on the small Island of Orsay off the south coast of Islay.
Rinn is the Gaelic for point, but in this case the name came from Gaelic Rann, a division. The Rinns formed one of the three divisions of Islay.

The Engineer used all his ingenuity in trying out new ways to distinguish one light from another. Rinns of Islay was alternately stationary and revolving, producing a bright 'flash' of light every 12 seconds, without those intervals of darkness which characterise other lights on the coast. The cost of this lighthouse was between £8,000 and £9,000 and John Gibb of Aberdeen was the contractor for the splendid tower.

Provisions and other light stores were brought by boatmen permanently attached to the station and they also did the reliefs. Boats were normally located at the nearest point of land. Inevitably, these boats operated in stormy waters among strong tides, but accidents seldom occurred. In storms in 1877-78, however, attending boats were lost or seriously damaged by being swamped or driven ashore.

In 1978 the light was changed to electric operation and this sealed beam light, mounted on a gearless revolving pedestal, has proved a real step forward in lighthouse illumination.

The Rinns of Islay lighthouse was automated on 31 March 1998.

Print this page Go back to Lighthouses
Lighthouse LibraryLive WebcamsNotice to MarinersContact UsShophttp://www.facebook.com/northernlighthouseboard?ref=ts


Emergency
To report any defects or damage to any of our aids to navigation please telephone our 24 hour freephone emergency number 08000 326655.

  • Freedom of Information
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility
  • Search
  • Site Map
  • http://www.facebook.com/northernlighthouseboard?ref=ts
Copyright © Northern Lighthouse Board ® 2009