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 Mull of Galloway you can climb the lighthouse, visit the exhibition of lighthouse history, experience the vintage engines and foghorn, walk around the RSPB Scotland nature reserve and enjoy delicious food and drink at Scotland’s most southerly coffee house, Gallie Craig.
The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Climb 115 steps to the top of the Mull of Galloway lighthouse and, on a clear day, be rewarded with spectacular views of Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man and Cumbria, watch the gannets diving and look out for porpoises and dolphins.
The tower stands 26 metres high and the light is 99 metres above sea level. The lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson. It took two years to build; work commenced in 1828 and the lighthouse was first lit on 26th March 1830. Find out more.
We don’t take advance bookings for tours of the lighthouse or exhibition unless you are bringing a large group, in which case, please email info@mull-of-galloway.co.uk.
Children can climb the tower with adult supervision, but there is a minimum height requirement for safety reasons. If you are as tall, or taller, than George the Lighthouse Keeper (1 metre), then you can climb the 115 steps to the top!
Please note the tower tour is not suitable for anyone suffering from heart, breathing or balance difficulties and that any person under 1m in height will not be allowed access, this includes carried children.
Visitors must wear sensible footwear to climb the tower. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Exhibition and Engine Room
The Mull of Galloway lighthouse exhibition is housed in the former fuel store, workshop and engine room to the right of the lighthouse.
In pride of place is the fresnel lens from McArthur’s Head lighthouse, which was upgraded to an automatic light in 1969. The lens has been loaned to the Exhibition by the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh. Find out more.
The Foghorn
A foghorn has been present at the Mull of Galloway since 1894. It last sounded as an aid to marine navigation in November 1987. During its working life, the foghorn would be operated by lighthouse keepers should seaward visibility drop below 4 miles.
Three Kelvin K2 diesel engines produce the compressed air necessary to sound the foghorn. The engines are now running again after 30 years of remaining silent.
The foghorn was in use until November 1987. After restoration work, the foghorn was returned to working order in April 2018. The Mull of Galloway foghorn is currently the only operational foghorn on mainland Scotland. You can find out more about the refurbishment, hear a blast and see more photographs by visiting our gallery.
Gallie Craig Coffee House
Gallie Craig Coffee House was named after the ragged rock of the same name protruding from the sea south of the Mull of Galloway. The glass encased coffee house and its terrace look towards the rock and the spectacular panoramic view also takes in the lighthouse, the Isle of Man, Ireland, the South Rhins Peninsula and Luce Bay. Find out more.
Group bookings are welcome, please contact Gallie Craig for details.
Please visit the Gallie Craig website or Gallie Craig Facebook Page for up to date information on their opening hours.
RSPB Nature Reserve
The area around the lighthouse is a RSPB reserve and designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The reserve at the Mull of Galloway is one of the RSPB’s smallest, yet it contains an amazing variety of wildlife. Find out more.
Please visit the RSPB website or RSPB Dumfries and Galloway Facebook Page for RSPB Visitor Centre opening hours.
