Name and Location

Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse is located at the southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, near Southend, Campbeltown PA28 6RU, Argyll & Bute, Scotland, UK. The coordinates are 55°18′37.6″ N, 5°48′11.5″ W (decimal 55.3104505, –5.8032024).

Construction and History

The first light was established in 1788 as a simple beacon. The present tower was designed by Robert Stevenson and built by William McCandlish, with the first exhibited light on January 1, 1829. The lighthouse was automated in 1996 and has been remotely monitored by the Northern Lighthouse Board since then.

Architecture and Materials

The tower is a tapering cylindrical masonry structure, painted white, with a corbelled balcony and lantern gallery in cast iron. The height of the tower is 26 meters, while the focal height above mean sea level is 55 meters. Attached keeper's cottages originally housed three families but are now converted for holiday accommodation.

Light and Navigation

The light characteristic is Group flashing 2 white every 20 seconds (Fl(2) W 20s). The range of the light is 18 nautical miles, covering approaches from North Channel and Firth of Clyde. The sectors illuminated by the light are from 347° through north to 178°.

Accessibility and Visiting

The headland is publicly accessible via the B842 from Campbeltown, with a final approach along an unclassified coastal road. However, there is no regular public opening of the tower. The keeper's cottages operate as self-catering guest houses, which can be booked through http://lighthousesforsale.co.uk/mull-of-kintyre-lighthouse-buildings/. On-site facilities are limited to private accommodation, with no visitor center or café.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Mull of Kintyre offers sweeping views over the North Channel toward County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and east into the Firth of Clyde. The surrounding landscape features rugged moorland, seabird colonies on nearby cliffs, and occasional sightings of dolphins and porpoises.

Anecdotes and Folklore

The Mull of Kintyre gave its name to Paul McCartney & Wings' 1977 hit "Mull of Kintyre." Local folklore speaks of sudden fogs and treacherous reefs at the headland, leading to numerous shipwrecks in the 18th–19th centuries.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is managed by the Northern Lighthouse Board (www.nlb.org.uk). The listed status is likely Category B "listed building," although this requires confirmation from Historic Environment Scotland. There are no regular public opening hours for the tower, but the keeper's cottages operate as self-catering guest houses.

Further Information

For further information, please consult the Northern Lighthouse Board (www.nlb.org.uk) or Wikipedia ("Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mull_of_Kintyre_Lighthouse).