Mull of Galloway

The southernmost tip of Scotland, the Mull of Galloway has a splendid lighthouse, bustling seabird colonies, dramatic cliff scenery and stunning views. This walk explores the coast on both sides of the peninsula. A shorter option is also given, returning along the road from West Tarbet which reduces the walk to 3.5km.

Terrain

Grassy clifftop path, field edges and paths, minor road.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Car park at the Mull of Galloway, just short of the lighthouse. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 185m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NX155304

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The Mull of Galloway is a popular spot and there is a good sized car park. The first part of the walk explores the Mull itself; head between the white gateposts towards the lighthouse but then fork left on a grassy path - signed 'circular walk'. This passes a well before curving round to reach a white cottage - home to the RSPB visitor centre. Here you can find out about the seabird colonies here, which include a small number of puffins as well as black guillemots, kittiwakes and others. Continue along the tarred lane that leads from here towards the lighthouse itself. Just before reaching it, a grassy path on the left leads out to the furthest tip of the peninsula, looking out to the Isle of Man and the hills of the Lake District. Return to the lighthouse - like almost all in Scotland, designed by the Stevenson family - and continue on the track back to the car park.

Stage 2

Leaving the car park a second time, this time head along the road to reach the cafe. With a turf roof and glass front, this makes the most of the superb views, looking along to the great cliffs of greywacke. From the front of the cafe, take the signed clifftop path, heading through the kissing gate and then following the fence to the right. Continue along the most dramatic section of the coastline; the grassy trod keeps by the fence and the drop is unprotected. The route rounds several geos or inlets; looking back there are stunning views of the lighthouse.

Stage 3

Look out for a strange memorial in the field on the right. This is Kennedy's Cairn and can be visited by a short detour through a gate on the right; it offers a good panorama over the peninsula. Return to the coast path, as it nears West Tarbet Bay it heads through a kissing gate on the right and cuts back to the road. Unless intent on a shorter walk (in which case turn right along the road back to the lighthouse), immediately turn left onto another footpath, signed for West Cairngaan. Less frequented than the path from the Mull, this continues along the grassy clifftop by the fence, heading through a small gate. It is waymarked.

Stage 4

Soon the path reaches the deep Mill Glen; it curves inland and then descends to the floor of this grassy ravine. Once there turn left and follow the bottom of the glen out to reach the shoreline, then bearing right onto a rocky path with a fence. The path drops again into the next bay before a grassy climb leads up to a kissing gate in a drystone dyke. Go through this, and continue until a waymarker indicates where to veer right up a second, smaller ravine. Further up this a second marker indicates a left turn to regain the clifftop, now on the inland side of the fence. There is dramatic coastal scenery along this stretch.

Stage 5

Go through a gate; the path continues along the edge of the field above the cliffs. Look out for a waymarker part way through the field which indicates where to turn right inland across it - which could be difficult to spot depending on the planting. The route is marked by another post and aims to reach the end of a grassy track. The track is then joined and followed. When the main route turns left (to West Cairngaan Farm), continue directly ahead. After another 600m or so a concrete lane is reached with some barns ahead (East Cairngaan). Do not head up the concrete lane to the barns, nor through the gate on the right, but instead turn right onto a small grassy path, immediately to the left of the gate.

Stage 6

The path descends into the Cairngaan Glen. At the glen floor look out for a right turn (the main path seems to go left) and head through a kissing gate. On the far side turn left to head through double gates and then continue to reach the road beyond. At the road go left over the bridge and then right onto another signed path. This grassy trod leads through a gate and down a glen all the way to the pebbly shore on the east side of the peninsula. At the coast, turn right to cross the pebbles at the foot of the glen and then take a grassy path which heads around the coastline about half way up the gorse-clad slope from the sea.

Stage 7

The path on this part is indistinct but continues roughly on the same contour until a drystone wall looks to block the route ahead. At this point it slopes uphill to the right to reach the top corner of the wall. Continue along the field edge to reach a ladder stile and use this to cross back to the seaward side. The coast path now becomes easier to follow, continuing above the cliffs and through another couple of gates. Once East Tarbet Bay appears ahead the path bends right and heads back to the main road. Once joined, turn left along the road to head back to the Mull of Galloway.

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