ISLAY, the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides, Ar gyllshire, Scotland, 16 m. W. of Kintyre and a m. S.W. of Jura, from which it is separated by the Sound of Islay. Pop. (1931) 4,97o; maximum breadth 15 m. and maximum length 25 m. The sea-lochs Gruinart and Indaal cut into it so deeply as almost to convert the western portion into a separate island. It is rich and productive, and has been called the "Queen of the Hebrides." The surface generally is regular, the highest summit being Ben Bheigeir (1,609 ft.), but the shore is rugged. There are several freshwater lakes and streams, which provide good fishing. Islay was the ancient seat of the "lord of the Isles," the first to adopt that title being John Macdonald of Isle of Islay, who died about 1386; but the Macdonalds were ultimately ousted by their rivals, the Campbells, about 1616. Islay house, the ancient seat of the
Campbells of Islay, stands at the head of Loch Indaal. Consid erable business is done in stock-raising, and oats, barley and various green crops are raised. The chief difficulty in the way of reclamation is the great area of peat (6o sq.m.). The island contains several distilleries, producing large quantities of whisky, slate and marble are quarried, and iron and lead are found. At Bowmore, the chief town, some shipping is carried on. Port Ellen, the principal village, is a golfing resort, with a quay and a fishery. Port Askaig is the ferry station for Feolin on Jura. Reg ular communication with Glasgow and W. Tarbert is maintained by steamers which call at Bowmore, Port Ellen, Askaig and Bruichladdich. There are 3 lighthouses on the island.