The Oa

The The Oa (Gaelic: An Obha ), historically also known as The Mull of Oe or Kinoe, is a peninsula of the Scottish island of Islay.

Geography

Oa is located on the south coast of the island and situated in the southeast of the peninsula Cape Rubha nan Leacan marks the southernmost point of Islay. At its greatest extent in the east-west direction it traverses approximately seven kilometers in north-south direction is about 6.5. In the north- east it is connected with the main part of the island. To the south and east it is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, while the bay hole Indaal forms the western coast. On the opposite shore of Loch Indaal the Rhinns of Islay peninsula is located. While in the south of the island usually occur rather flat, sandy coasts, limits up to 220 m, the Mull of Oa from high cliffs.

Administratively Oa is associated as part of the unitary authority Islay Argyll and Bute. Historically, it was part of the traditional county of Argyllshire today.

Before the Highland Clearances Oa had a population of about 800 persons, other sources speak of up to 4,000 people. Today the peninsula is inhabited by 40 people. Numerous remains of residential buildings can be found in the landscape and witness the former settlement.

A monument on the southwest coast of the Mull of Oa -called Cape commemorates the launch of the ship Tuscania and the sinking of the Otranto off the coast during the First World War. During the Second World War was a warship of the Royal Navy the name Mull of Oa (see also: List of historical ships of the Royal Navy ).

Landscape on Oa

Oa seen beyond Loch Indaal from the sports ground of Port Charlotte from.