Islay

: This article is about the island in Scotland. For the Peruvian province, see Islay Province.

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Islay (pronounced {{IPA|}}; in Gaelic Ìle {{IPA|}}) is a Scottish island, the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides. It lies just to the south of Jura. The island's capital is Bowmore. Other settlements include Port Ellen.

Related Topics:
Pronounced - Gaelic - Scottish - Island - Inner Hebrides - Jura - Bowmore - Port Ellen

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The population of Islay is just over 3000 inhabitants. It has a total area of just over 600 square kilometres. Its main industries are single malt whisky distilling and tourism largely based on whisky and bird watching.

Related Topics:
600 square kilometres - Single malt whisky

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The island is home to many bird species and is a popular destination throughout the year with bird watchers, notably in February to see a large colony of barnacle geese. Other bird visitors to the island include chough, hen harrier, oystercatcher, cormorant and many wading birds.

Related Topics:
Barnacle geese - Chough - Hen harrier - Oystercatcher - Cormorant

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The location of Islay, exposed to the full force of the Atlantic has led to it being the site of a pioneering Wave power station called Limpet http://www.wavegen.co.uk/what_we_offer_limpet_islay.htm.

Related Topics:
Atlantic - Wave power

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The climate on Islay is often more clement than the Scottish mainland owing to the Gulf Stream. Many people consider Islay to be one of Scotland's most beautiful islands as well as its least discovered.

Related Topics:
Gulf Stream - Scotland

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