Mull of Galloway

Summary

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.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

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. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

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

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

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 immediately fork left on a grassy path - signed 'circular walk'. Keep right when a path continues ahead to a bench. Cross a boardwalk and pass a well before curving round to reach a white cottage - home to the RSPB visitor centre and toilets. 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 towards the lighthouse itself. Just before reaching it, a grassy path on the left leads out to the furthest tip of the peninsula, Lagvag Point, looking out to the Isle of Man and the hills of the Lake District. Return to head towards the lighthouse and pass it on your left. Like almost all in Scotland it was designed by the Stevenson family, you can also detour before the lighthouse to visit the foghorn.

Stage 2

From the gate in front of the lighthouse head left picking up the other half of the signed circular path. This keeps close to the wall with stunning views of the cliffs ahead and turf roofed cafe. Return to the car park through the gate that you went through earlier and take the path down to the cafe entrance. Pass in front of the cafe terrace and go through the gate onto the clifftop and follow 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 and go through the pedestrian gate. Unless intent on a shorter walk (in which case turn right along the road back to the lighthouse), immediately turn left through another pedestrian gate onto a footpath, signed for West Cairngaan. Less frequented than the path from the Mull, this continues along the grassy clifftop by the fence. There are occasional waymarkers.

Stage 4

Soon the path reaches the deep Mill Glen; curving inland the path descends to the floor of this grassy ravine. Bear left over a bridge to reach the shoreline, then right onto a rocky path. The path drops again into the next bay before a grassy climb leads up to a gate in a drystone dyke. Go through this and aim diagonally right to head up a second, smaller ravine. At the far end bear left to regain the clifftop and continue soon on the inland side of a 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 for 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 turn right at a T junction of paths to pass a bench and go through a gate. Turn left immediately to cross the field and head through double gates on a small bridge and then continue ahead to reach the road beyond. At the road cross and go left then right through a gate onto another signed path. This grassy trod leads down a glen, through a gate, to the pebbly shore on the east side of the peninsula. At the coast, turn right to cross the pebbles and head uphill through the gate and onto the high ground above the gorse.

Stage 7

Keep following the edge of the field until a gate in a stone wall. Go through this to continue on the coast path above the cliffs and through another gate. Once East Tarbet Bay appears ahead the path bends right and heads directly to the road ahead. Once joined, turn left along the road to head back to the Mull of Galloway, you can short cut by heading directly up the steep part but must cross the stone wall part way up to give access to the road below the car park.

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