Gaelic name Eilean Iarmain OS grid reference NG709125 Sovereign state United Kingdom Council area Highland Year first constructed 1857 | Norse name Örfirirsey Highest elevation 46 m Automated 1962 Lieutenancy area Highland | |
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Meaning of name "Ebb (i.e. tidal) island", from Norse Island groups British Isles, Inner Hebrides | ||
Ornsay is a small tidal island to the east of the Sleat peninsula on the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
Contents
Map of Ornsay, United Kingdom
Description
Widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful tidal islands in Western Scotland, the island provides good shelter to a natural harbour which is overlooked by the village of Isleornsay. The "Ornsay" lighthouse stands on the neighbouring islet, Eilean Sionnach.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse is an active light located on the Ornsay tidal isle in the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides.
It was built in 1857 on project by Thomas and David Stevenson; it is a masonry tower with gallery, lantern and keeper’s house. The apparatus installed entered in service on 10 November 1857, it was improved in the lenses system in order to show the light strength according to the distance to be shown. The lighthouse is equipped with a battery backup for fourteen days to keep working the emergency light; it was modernized in 1988 when mains power was installed. The lighthouse emits an white occulting light every 8 seconds and was automated in 1962.