Open Daily April - mid-October
10.00am - 4.00pm
Entry free. Donations most welcome.

The building which is now the RSPB Centre originally housed the workmen building the lighthouse in 1828 and was later extended to act as a byre.   It was opened in 2000 as a visitors centre.

Local people had been anxious to provide facilities for those interested in the area while at the same time being mindful of preserving and protecting nature. Funding for the building of the original Visitor Centre was sought and secured from the European Regional Development Fund, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Scottish Natural Heritage. The Helen and Horace Gillman Trusts, the Northern Lighthouse Board and the RSPB provided additional funding.

It was decided to utilise this derelict building, which was renovated sympathetically to blend in with its surroundings, with the aim of keeping a balance between the needs of man and nature. The wildlife had to be of the prime concern, with protection of rare birds and plant life a priority. The South Rhins Community Development Trust invited the RSPB to jointly manage the Centre, which is maintained through donations.

The RSPB Centre contains considerable information about the birds, rare plants and marine life that can be seen at the Mull of Galloway. 

An exciting addition to the Centre, in 2004, has been the showing of live images from the Mull's cliffs, of the seabird colony during the nesting season. Use of the control panel means that visitors can see the wider pictures of the landscape as well as close up ones of the arrival of the young birds, transmitted to the Centre by cameras placed below the viewing platform at the foghorn.

An RSPB warden or RSPB volunteer is on duty at the Centre seven days a week during the summer months, and is able to provide a wealth of up-to-date information on the birds, plants and marine life.

Public toilet facilities are available at the Centre, with easy access for the disabled.

There is ample car parking available on the perimeters of the Reserve and disabled access to the lighthouse and RSPB Centre can be made by car through the gate over the cattle grid.  Disabled parking is available at either the Lighthouse or the RSPB Centre. It is a short walk for others. This can be extended to take a circular walk around the reserve and experience the feeling of being at one with nature. Dogs on leads please