Loch Indaal
Loch Indaal (or Lochindaal) is a sea loch on Islay, the southernmost island of the Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. Together with Loch Gruinart to the north, it was formed by the Loch Gruinart Fault, which branches off the Great Glen Fault.
The lighthouse just outside Port Charlotte on Islay. | |
| Location | Port Charlotte Islay Argyll and Bute Scotland United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55.744760°N 6.372223°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1869 |
| Construction | brick tower |
| Height | 13 metres (43 ft) |
| Shape | ctlindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Power source | mains electricity |
| Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 15 metres (49 ft) |
| Range | 11 nmi (20 km; 13 mi) (white), 8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi) (red) |
| Characteristic | Fl(2) WR 7s. |
Along the northwestern coast are the villages of Bruichladdich and Port Charlotte. Along its northeastern shore is the tiny village of Bridgend and on its southeastern shore is the island capital of Bowmore.
At night the lights of the villages along the three sides of the loch inspired the well-known folk song "The Lights of Lochindaal" by Iain Simpson.
South of Bowmore the entire coastline is a six-mile-long sandy beach stretching to Kintra. This beach, known as the Big Strand, is very popular with holidaymakers and locals alike in the summer.