Loch Indaal

A historical perspective, drawn from the Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical, edited by Francis H. Groome and originally published in parts by Thomas C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh between 1882 and 1885.

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Loch Indal, a sea loch in Islay island, Argyllshire. Opening on the S between the Mull of Islay and the Point of Rhynns, and penetrating 12 miles north-north-eastward to the centre of the island, it measures 8 miles across the entrance, and contracts gradually over the first 4¾ miles to a breadth of 6²/₃ miles. It then expands on the E side into Laggan Bay, then over the last 6½ miles has an average breadth of only about 2 miles; and, though all comparatively shallow, is much frequented by shipping, and abounds in fish. A lighthouse, designated of the Rhynns of Islay, stands on Oversay islet, adjacent to the W side of the loch's entrance, and shows a flashing light every 5 seconds, visible at the distance of 17 nautical miles; and another lighthouse, designated of Loch Indal, stands on Dune Point, and shows a fixed white light from NE by E to about N by E half E, a red light from about N by E half E to about W half N, and a white light from about W half N to SW by W three-quarters W, visible at the distance of 12 nautical miles. Dioptric prisms of a new form were introduced to the latter lighthouse in 1869.

An accompanying 19th C. Ordnance Survey map is available, or use the map tab to the right of this page.

Note: This text has been made available using a process of scanning and optical character recognition. Despite manual checking, some typographical errors may remain. Please remember this description dates from the 1880s; names may have changed, administrative divisions will certainly be different and there are known to be occasional errors of fact in the original text, which we have not corrected because we wish to maintain its integrity. This information is provided subject to our standard disclaimer