Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, Scotland
Located in the south west corner of Scotland on the most westerly finger of the Scottish Mainland is Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. The Mull of Galloway is a small peninsula and is the most southerly point in Scotland. With views across to the mountains of Cumbria in England, the Isle of Man and Northern Island this classic Stephenson lighthouse stands as the welcoming entrance to Scotland.
History of Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse was started in 1828 with the light being lit on 26th March 1830 and was designed by Robert Stevenson. It is a classic Scottish Lighthouse design and is painted white with yellow details. Over the years the lighthouse was modified with gradual improvements to the light. The main tower is surrounded by the engine room and the keepers cottages which were in full use until the lighthouse was automated in 1971. Once automation occurred the keepers were needed less until it was fully automated in 1988.
Since full automation, the cottages have been bought out by the Mull of Galloway Trust who have converted them into holiday cottages and the engine room is now a small museum about the lighthouse.
As with many lighthouses, this one has its own story and on 8th June 1944 during World War II a Beaufighter miscalculated its position in thick fog and crashed into the store room killing two men in the subsequent blast.
The lighthouse continues to stand 26 metres tall with a white flash every 20 seconds which can be seen for over 18 nautical miles. Given its position on the cliff top, it is 99 metres above the sea, crashing into the base of the cliffs. In the summer months, 114 steps to the top of the tower can be climbed to see the amazing views across the open sea as well as exploring the small museum and fog horn.
Mull of Galloway Nature Reserve and Scar Rock
Surrounding the lighthouse is a large nature reserve with trails and viewpoints to allow you to see the local seabirds as well as passing basking sharks and dolphins. The seabirds include black guillemot, kittiwakes and peregrine falcons as well as a small puffin colony that makes the cliffs its home between May and July. Offshore Scar Rock can be seen and this rock has a small gannet colony.
Gallie Craigs
Gallie Craigs are the most southerly point in Scotland and the best view of the rocks is from the start of the circular path. Following the cliff west from the cafe balcony a rough path leads to Kennedy’s Cairn which can be seen from the cafe. All along this path, there are views of the lighthouse and the rocks below with the beautiful heather and wildflowers for added colour during the summer months. These cliffs will be in the beautiful golden light at sunrise and sunset during the winter months but in shadow during the summer.
Getting to Mull of Galloway
The lighthouse and the Mull of Galloway lie at the southernmost tip of the Rhinns of Galloway. From Stranraer take the A716 south towards Drunmore and then pick up the B7041 signposted to the Mull of Galloway. The roads get narrower until you reach the large parking area by the cafe and the entrance to the nature reserve.
- Off B7041, Stranraer, DG9 9HP
- Find on Google Maps
- Visit the lighthouse website