Walks on the Mull of Galloway - 20 minutes - 3 hours or more 

From Portpatrick turn right onto B7042 about 2 miles from the village and follow signs for Sandhead. Just as you reach Sandhead turn right onto the main road, follow signs for Mull of Galloway and park at the visitor centre (Gallie Craig)

The Mull of Galloway is the most southerly point on the Scottish mainland and is a spectacular viewpoint taking in the fells of Cumbria, the Isle of Man, Ireland including the Mountains of Mourne, Luce Bay, the Galloway Hills. Even the Mull of Kintyre, Arran and sometimes, Jura! There is an interesting exhibition at the lighthouse, a coffee house perched on the clifftop where the views can be enjoyed over some refreshments and an RSPB reserve where amongst others, fulmars, black guillemote,shags and up to 2,000 pairs of gannets nest on the nearby Scar Rocks. Porpoises and grey seals are often seen. 

 Short walk round reserve

From the car park go through the gate where there is a network of paths taking in the RSPB centre and the lighthouse itself. No difficulties other than the steep steps down to the foghorn where care is required. The path to the foghorn give a good view of the whirlpools caused by the meeting of the 7 tides.

 Mull of Galloway - short circuit (about 1.5 hours)

Park at the Gallie Craig Visitor Centre, walk round the front of the coffee house and go through the gate at the end of the building onto a path heading north between the fence and the cliff top. The eroded cliffs around here provide fantastic scenery and there are numerous seabirds to watch.

You will see a monument in the field above you. This is known as Kennedy`s Cairn and if you have a good head for heights it is possible to climb to the top on stone steps. Although I am a keen hill-walker, I passed on the steps!

Returning to the path, follow it until it rejoins the road at a cattle grid. Cross the road and make your way down towards the ruined walled cottage and jetty at the far end of the bay. Pick up a faint path which runs just above the rocks and follow it as far as you dare! (the path is very narrow and quite exposed)  It is possible at various stages to scramble up the steep grassy slope where an easier path runds alongside the fence. Follow the fence until the visitor centre comes into view and make your way back to the car park. If the path southward doesn`t appeal, just walk back alongside the road.

 Mull of Galloway - long circuit (about 3 hours)

 Start off as described above short circuit but before crossing the cattle grid take the path, through the gate on the left (signed footpath to Cairngaan).

After about 5 minutes, descend into a grassy inlet and bear right near the bottom where a faint path leads to the shore. Pick up the path to the right along the sea shore. Go upwards again through a gate and follow the path round the next headland then ascend a somewhat boggy slope until the fence and path is regained.

Walk between the field edge and the fence until you see a post in the field to your right. From the post you will see a lane heading inland. Follow the lane and at a junction go straight ahead, keeping the farm house on your left until you come to a road beside some houses where you turn right.

After 10-15 minutes, a footpath leads off to the right (before the houses). Follow the path round the edge of the field and into an attractive, recently planted wooded valley.

Eventually you come to a fork in the path where you go straight ahead, ie not upwards to the right. Go through a gate and follow the path to the left and soon reach the road.

The walk can be cut short at this point by turning right along the road and follow it back to the car park.

However, you can, instead cross the road and follow the signed footpath towards the shore. From there, ascend to a field above the cliffs where you can follow the fence until you come to a stile over the wall where you can pick up a good path between the wall and cliff top back to the cattle grid described in the short loop walk described above.

 Portpatrick`s top accommodation provider, Rickwood Guest House is an ideal base for walking the Mull of Galloway