Scotland’s most Southerly Point
The Mull of Galloway is Scotland’s most Southerly Point and one of the best kept secrets in the UK. The Rhins of Galloway peninsula remains an unspoiled paradise for visitors on the lookout for peace and tranquillity.
Beautiful countryside awaits you in the Rhins of Galloway, together with miles of sandy beaches, splendid views and cliff top walks. Wildlife in the area is abundant and the Mull of Galloway is one of the best places in the UK to view dolphins, porpoises and many sea birds. The warm climate means that the area is blessed with stunning gardens, each with its own individuality, and a variety of plants and trees.
Much lies in wait for you to see and do in the Rhins of Galloway and invite you to stay a while and enjoy the experience of a holiday in our former lighthouse keeper’s cottages.
Lighthouse, Exhibition and Quarterdecks Opening Dates for 2026
The 2026 season starts on Monday 30th March.
Entry to the Lighthouse, Exhibition, Quarterdecks, Engine Demonstrations and Foghorn blasts is by donation. Tickets for entry are available from the Exhibition. If you wish to support our work you can make a donation by contactless payment or cash on arrival.
The Exhibition is open daily from Monday 30th March until Sunday 1st November 2026 from 11am to 5pm.
The Lighthouse and Quarterdecks are open every weekend during this period with additional opening times for school holidays and bank holidays. The additional dates are:
Easter – Daily from Monday 30th March to and including Sunday 19th April.
May Bank Holiday – Monday 4th May.
Half Term – Monday 25th May to and including Sunday 31st May.
School Summer Holidays – Thursday 2nd July to and including Monday 31st August.
Half Term – Monday 12th October to and including Sunday 18th October.
Half Term – Monday 26th October to and including Sunday 1st November.
The Lighthouse Tours begin at 11am each day until 5pm with the final tour each day starting at 4.15pm.
Due to weather and/or operational reasons there may be days when the Lighthouse cannot open or has to close early.
Regular updates and opening times are posted on our Facebook Page.
Foghorn and Engine Demonstrations for 2026
Sunday 26th April Engines and Foghorn
Sunday May 31st Engines, Foghorn depending on Kittiwake nesting
Sunday June 28th Engines only
Sunday July 26th Engines, Foghorn depending on Kittiwake nesting
Sunday August 30th Engines and Foghorn
Sunday September 27th Engines and Foghorn
Sunday October 25th Engines and Foghorn
Sunday November 1st Engines and Foghorn (last demonstration before the Exhibition closes for season)
Please note these are planned dates but as Robert Burns said,
“The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft agley”
Reasons we cannot blast the Foghorn are:
The Kittiwake nesting season varies yearly and we take advice from RSPB on the dates when the birds are sitting on eggs and when the chicks have fledged.
The whole engine and foghorn system is vintage and breakdowns may stop a demonstration.
We are not allowed to blow the foghorn in foggy weather (navigational confusion to nearby shipping) this decision is taken on the day, and is a Northern Lighthouse Board directive.
The Mull of Galloway Experience
At the award winning Mull of Galloway Experience, you can climb the 115 steps to the top of Scotland’s most southerly Lighthouse, where a spectacular view from the balcony and lightroom will reward you for your efforts! For more stunning views over the cliffs, take a walk to the Foghorn and viewing platform. For those keen to learn about how the Lighthouse used to operate, the Lighthouse Exhibition in the old engine room has an extensive array of information. The Engines and Foghorn are now fully operational following a refurbishment project. There are regular blasts and engine demonstrations throughout the year and group bookings are welcome.
For more information about the local birdlife, pay a visit to the RSPB visitor centre and reserve. The area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a beautiful circular walk with viewpoints allows you to explore the 30 acres of heathland on the reserve.
For refreshments, the popular Gallie Craig Coffee House offers a range of meals, snacks, drinks and delicious home baking.
The Mull of Galloway is owned by the Mull of Galloway Trust and the Mull of Galloway Experience is operated as a joint venture with Northern Lighthouse Board, RSPB Scotland and Gallie Craig Coffee House.
The Photography currently used on this website is subject to copyright. We would like to thank Fraser Duff Andrew Jackson RB Photography Ian Cowe and local residents and tourists for kindly allowing us to use their photographs. You can see more in our Galleries.
Mull of Galloway Twinned with Inubosaki Lighthouse, Japan
We are proud to announce the twinning of the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse with Inubosaki Lighthouse in Japan, a partnership formalised on 21st November 2024. This international collaboration involves the Mull of Galloway Trust, the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), the Japanese Coast Guard, and the Tokokai – a private organisation that manages the lighthouse exhibition at Inubosaki, much like our own here in Scotland.
This twinning initiative has been supported by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), who believe that linking lighthouses across the globe helps to foster peace, cultural exchange, and international understanding. Mull of Galloway and Inubosaki are honoured to be the first lighthouses in the world to be officially twinned under this vision.
The connection between our two nations can be traced back to Richard Henry Burton, a lighthouse engineer trained by the famous Stevenson family. Around 1868, Burton travelled to Japan to help construct the country’s lighthouse network, earning him the title “Father of Japanese Lights”.
This exciting partnership is a celebration of shared heritage, maritime history, and global cooperation.
Click to visit the Lighthouse Holiday Cottages
Click to visit the Gallie Graig
Click to visit the RSPB