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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rinnis, Rynnis, n. pl. Also: rinn(e)s, rhinns, -i(e)s, rinds, ryndis, -es; rennys; reynis; rine. [Gael., EIr. rann a part, division, perh. falling together with Gael. rinn, EIr. rind a promontory, point.The apparently plural form may be some sort of misrepresentation of the original Gael. pronunciation. Cf. Slanis n. pl. from Gael. slán.] An area of land only connected to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, specif. that part of Islay or Galloway separated in this fashion. In Islay, also, one of the three administrative divisions of the island.(1) 1563 Bk. Islay 71.
The richt … quhilk thai pretend to haif to hir graces landis of the Ryndis of Ilay 1586 Ib. 81.
The Rinnes of the yle of Yla 1597 Ib. 104.
The Rynnis of Ilay c1630 Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 189.
Betwixt the head of the Logh and Loghnadaill there is but one myll of … land, which almost makes the Rinnis of Ila to be an illand Ib. 190.
The Church of Kilchonan being the principall church of the Rinnes of Ilaabsol. 1564 Bk. Islay 71.
The rycht and kyndes of the landis of the Rynnis in Ilay c1630 Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 190.
[Delegates] should meet … to decerne to whome those lands of the Rinnis were most kindlie Ib.
Sir Laughlane … said that he should have present possessione in the Rhinnies Ib.
This pairt of Illa which is called the Rhinns Ib.
Rinnes Ib. 191.
Rhinnis(2) 1683–1722 Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 100.
The Southern part of the Rinns (the Presbytry of Stranaver lying westerward of the water of Glenluce being commonly called the Rinns or Rinds of Galloway) is also arableabsol. 1451 Reg. Great S. 102/1.
In le Rynnis 1684 Pont in Symson Descr. Galloway 112.
All that layeth betwix thesse two heauens or gulffs, the countrey people name the Ryndes, that is the poynt of Galloway(b) 1426 Reg. Great. S. 16/1.
Drummuchloch in le Rennys, vic. Wigtoun(c) 16.. Hist. Kennedy 184.
The ower pairtt [of Galloway] quhilk is callitt the Reynissing. a1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 145.
That part of the shyre which lyeth to the west of Luss river, is called the Rine or Snout of Galloway, and the outmost point of it is called the Mule