Mull of Galloway

Human settlement in Scotland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mull of Gallowaymap

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.

Quick Facts OS grid reference, • Edinburgh ...
Mull of Galloway
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Mull of Galloway headland
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Mull of Galloway
Mull of Galloway
Location within Dumfries and Galloway
OS grid referenceNX 15747 30411
 Edinburgh112 mi (180 km)
 London292 mi (470 km)
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townSTRANRAER
Postcode districtDG9
Dialling code01776
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
54.635083°N 4.856336°W / 54.635083; -4.856336
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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

Quick Facts Location, OS grid ...
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
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Lighthouse on the Mull of Galloway
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LocationMull of Galloway
Wigtownshire
Scotland
United Kingdom
OS gridNX1569230398
Coordinates54.635005°N 4.857416°W / 54.635005; -4.857416
Tower
Constructed1830
Designed byRobert Stevenson Edit this on Wikidata
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 Edit this on Wikidata
Light
Focal height99 metres (325 ft)
Range28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 20s.
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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

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