Mull of Galloway

The Mull of Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Maol nan Gall, pronounced [mɯːlˠ̪ nəŋ ˈkaulˠ̪]; grid reference NX158303) is the southernmost point of Scotland. It is situated in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway, at the end of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula.

Mull of Galloway

Mull of Galloway headland
Mull of Galloway
Location within Dumfries and Galloway
OS grid referenceNX158303
• Edinburgh112 mi (180 km)
• London292 mi (470 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSTRANRAER
Postcode districtDG9
Dialling code01776
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

The Mull has one of the last remaining sections of natural coastal habitat on the Galloway coast and as such supports a wide variety of plant and animal species. It is now a nature reserve managed by the RSPB. Mull means rounded headland or promontory.

The Mull of Galloway Trail, one of Scotland's Great Trails, is a 59 km (37 mi) long-distance footpath that runs from the Mull of Galloway via Stranraer to Glenapp near Ballantrae, where the trail links with the Ayrshire Coastal Path.[1]

Lighthouse
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Lighthouse on the Mull of Galloway
LocationMull of Galloway
Wigtownshire
Scotland
United Kingdom
OS gridNX1569230398
Coordinates54.635005°N 4.857416°W / 54.635005; -4.857416
Tower
Constructed1830
Designed byRobert Stevenson 
Constructionmasonry tower
Automated1988
Height26 metres (85 ft)
Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, black lantern, ochre trim
OperatorSouth Rhins Community Development Trust [2] [3]
Heritagecategory A listed building 
Light
Focal height99 metres (325 ft)
Range28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 20s.

An active lighthouse is positioned at the point. Built in 1830 by engineer Robert Stevenson, the white-painted round tower is 26 metres (85 ft) high. The light is 99 metres (325 ft) above sea level and has a range of 28 nautical miles (52 km).[4] The lighthouse and lighthouse keepers' houses are designated as a Category A listed building.[5]

During World War II, on 8 June 1944 at 7.30 pm, a French member of the British Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), Cladius Echallier, died by striking the Lighthouse in a Beaufighter, while making a low landfall from the Irish Sea.[6]

The lighthouse is now automatic, and an old outhouse has been converted into a visitor centre, run by the South Rhins Community Development Trust, a group of local people and businesses. In 2013 there was a community buyout and the Mull of Galloway Trust purchased land and buildings, with the exception of the tower, from Northern Lighthouse Board.

In 2004 a new café was built at the Mull of Galloway, called the "Gallie Craig". Its design incorporates into the landscape with a turf roof, giving views across to Northern Ireland and southwards to the Isle of Man.

See also

References
  1. "Mull of Galloway Trail". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  2. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Southwestern Scotland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  3. Mull of Galloway Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 16 May 2016
  4. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 November 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Historic Environment Scotland. "Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, Lighthouse Keepers' Houses and boundary walls (Category A Listed Building) (LB13578)". Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  6. The Forgotten Pilots, Lettice Curtis, Page 153



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