Here's why :)
The intrinsic beauty of the headland with its coastal Heathland, cliff tops carpeted by a multitude of wildflowers, panoramic views across Luce bay and the Irish sea, bees and butterflies flitting around, the occasional glimpse of passing porpoise or inquisitive seals bobbing their heads up through the waters surface and of course the sight and sound of so many birds, seabirds clinging to the cliff faces, smaller heath and grassland specialists enthusiastically singing and defending their territories, and the iconic peregrine falcon cruising through the air looking for an unsuspecting meal, all combines to make this small but important nature reserve a truly spectacular place to visit again and again.
The nationally rare heather dominated coastal Heathland is just a small remnant of what at one time would have cloaked much of the area, now important farmland grazed by cattle and sheep. This valuable Heathland habitat is home to a number of small birds, mammals, insects and a vast array of wildflowers. A delicate balance of light grazing, strimming and manually bashing encroaching bracken is utilised to conserve and in places increase the amount of Heathland on the reserve.
The rugged sea cliffs provide vital nesting habitat for many threatened seabirds. The sight and sound of guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars and many other species forms a large part of what attracts many people to southwest Scotland’s largest seabird colony. These hardy birds regularly have to endure strong winds and occasional storms as they cling precariously to narrow ledges and face the increasingly challenging problem of finding enough food to feed themselves and their vulnerable chicks.
Sandeels, which play an important part in the diet of many seabirds, marine mammals and other fish, are decreasing at an alarming rate due to factors such as climate change, over fishing and off shore developments. The RSPB is carrying out in-depth scientific research and lobbying governments to try to reverse this detrimental trend (for more info click here).
The Mull of Galloway is also important for many migrating birds, acting like an ecological service station, providing a safe spot for species to stop off, rest up and re-fuel before continuing with their journey or just a safe haven for those that have been blown of course. Over the years, this has led to many rarities along with our common but none the less impressive native species paying us a visit.
View back across reserve from lighthouse
There is also plenty to attract our human visitors. The 26 metre tall lighthouse, open to visitors weekends and bank holidays and the lighthouse exhibition centre open seven days a week (more info here ), the fabulous Gallie Craig coffee house and of course the RSPB’s visitor centre, offering guided walks and various children’s activities means there is plenty for all to see and do. So if you have never visited before or it’s just been a while we would love to welcome you!