autumn visit

went to the Outer Hebrides last year RSPB there fantastic  planning a visit to mull of Galloway  this year  when would be the best time to come  from early Sept onwards   when is there a good passage of birds  & what`s more important how many midges will still be around   looking forward to reading your replies  see you soon Helen

  • Hello Belles.

    For your info the Scottish National trust manage the three holiday cottages at the lighthouse on behalf of Northern Lighthouse Board

    http://www.nts.org.uk/Holidays/Specialist-properties/Lighthouses/

    I have stayed there quite a bit and I think they have recently replaced the windows and spruced up the place.

    You are right on the reserve, with fantastic views.

    IMHO the best time to visit is May, June July for the sea birds, especially if you want to sea the small colony of Puffins.

    There are also resident Peregrines which you can view from the Gallie Craig Coffee House, fantastic place, plenty of cliff walks, and plenty of places to visit.

    Enjoy your trip

    p.s it's too windy for many midges there lol

  • Hi belles/ Helen, great to hear you are planning a trip to the Mull of Galloway.

    As Borderslass says, most of the action here is between April - July. However it is still beautiful up here September and onwards - it just tends to be a lot quieter (both in terms of birds and people!). The peregrines will still be around, as will the harbour porpoises.

    You can see the visible migration of birds such as siskins, redpoll, meadow pipits, skylark and chaffinch throughout September and early October - and some passage migrants drop by to spend a few hours in the willow scrub next to the visitor centre (although not many). You do have to have a good eye and ear for the migration at the Mull though - they tend to pass by very high up!

    We are very lucky with midges at the mull - there was hardly a midge in sight all summer last year. And we seem to get the best of the weather too. My guided walks are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm throughout the season (up until end of October).

    So many reasons to pay us a visit! Look forward to seeing you sometime this year.

    Hannah