Torsa (occasionally Torsay) is one of the Slate Islands in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Lying east of Luing and south of Seil, this tidal island was inhabited until the 1960s. There is now only one house there, which is used for holiday lets. The underlying bedrock is slate but unlike Torsa's immediate island neighbours this has never been worked commercially. The island's name is of Norse origin but the most prominent historical structure on the island is the ruined Caisteal nan Con on the northeast shore, once held by Clan Campbell. The abundant sea life in the waters surrounding the island are protected by the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area. Geography Torsa lies just offshore from the east coast of Luing. A rough track leads down from the road to Ardinamir farm on Luing to a narrow strait, fordable at low water, and onto the south west corner of the island. This area is known as Torsa Beag ("Little Torsa"), which name implies a small island in its own right but it is permanently attached to the main part of Torsa by a narrow strip of land. Torsa farmhouse, which was inhabited until the 1960s and is now a holiday let, is nearby. The bulk of the island, the total area of which extends to , lies above a raised beach at between 10 and 60 metres above sea level. There is a shallow anchorage at Ardinamir reached via a narrow entrance with drying rocks. There is no jetty on the island and holidaymakers reach it using a small dinghy. The island is relatively fertile compared to its larger neighbours with good pasture for cattle and "almost its entire surface is capable of cultivation". There are various small offshore islets on the west side of Torsa including Eilean Fraoch (Heather Island), Glas Eilean (Grey-green Island) and Sgeir a' Bodaich. The peninsula that forms the northern point of Torsa is called Eilean na h-Eaglaise - island of the church. Geology Most of Torsa comprises the Easdale Slate formation, although it has never been extracted commercially. There are post-glacial marine deposits all around the raised beach that encircles the middle of the island. Torsa Beag has been formed from a Neoproterozoic metamorphic intrusion. Etymology Torsa, archaically Torsay, is a Gaelic name derived from Old Norse. It means "Thorir's island" or possibly "Thor's Island". The names were common