Long distance
Mull of Galloway Trail
From the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland's most southerly point, north up the Luce Bay coast of the Rhins through Drummore, Ardwell and Sandhead, inland to Stranraer, then round Loch Ryan past Cairnryan on the Loch Ryan Coastal Path to Glenapp Kirk. 59 km (37 mi), 480 m of ascent, three days. Walk it north: the prevailing wind is at your back and the Mull is the high point, so the trend is downhill. Well waymarked; the northern section carries its own Loch Ryan Coastal Path markers.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 59 km/ 37 mi
- Typical days
- 3
- Total ascent
- 480 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Start → Finish
- Mull of Galloway Lighthouse → Glenapp Kirk
- Best direction
- South to North
- Water sources
- Fill up before leaving the Mull; refill in Drummore, Ardwell, Sandhead, Stranraer and Cairnryan. The climb from Cairnryan to Glenapp has no facilities — carry water, and treat anything from burns.
- Mobile signal
- Signal in Drummore, Sandhead, Stranraer and Cairnryan; it may drop at the Mull and on the high ground between Cairnryan and Glenapp.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Rhins is the forgotten corner of Scottish walking — empty of crowds and surprisingly varied. Starting at Scotland's most southerly point, with views to the Isle of Man, the Mournes and the Galloway Hills, the trail follows Luce Bay north, crosses to Stranraer and finishes round Loch Ryan. It is also the first link in a chain: from Glenapp the Ayrshire Coastal Path continues north, and Scotland's Great Trails says the combined route from the Mull to Cape Wrath makes up the Scottish Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail. Expect road walking north of Drummore, steep gradients between the Mull and Maryport, and a steep climb onto the high ground north of Cairnryan.
Highlights
- Mull of Galloway lighthouse and its views to the Isle of Man and the Mournes
- Drummore and the Luce Bay shore
- Loch Ryan from the Loch Ryan Coastal Path
- The high ground above Loch Ryan north of Cairnryan
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 3-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Mull of Galloway to Ardwell20.5km
From the lighthouse north along the Luce Bay coast past Maryport to Drummore and on to Ardwell. Steep gradients between the Mull and Maryport, and road walking north of Drummore. There is no public transport between Drummore and the Mull.
- Terrain
- Coastal paths, field edges and quiet roads, with several steep gradients near the Mull.
- Overnight
- Ardwell, or Sandhead a little further north (the SGT recommended overnight).
- Stats
- Mull of Galloway → Ardwell · 20.5km
2Ardwell to Stranraer19.5km
Up the coast to Sandhead, then inland across the Rhins to Stranraer, with road walking between Clayshant and High Barnultoch.
- Terrain
- Coastal paths, farm tracks and minor roads. Generally flat.
- Overnight
- Stranraer has hotels and B&Bs and a railway station.
- Stats
- Ardwell → Stranraer · 19.5km
3Stranraer to Glenapp19km
The Loch Ryan Coastal Path along the shore of Loch Ryan past Cairnryan, then a steep climb inland to high open ground and a descent to Glenapp Church. Two wet areas on this section.
- Terrain
- Shore path, then hill tracks over open moorland.
- Overnight
- Nothing at Glenapp. Buses run back to Stranraer; walkers continuing north go on via the Ayrshire Coastal Path to Ballantrae.
- Stats
- Stranraer → Glenapp Kirk · 19km
Transport
To start (Mull of Galloway Lighthouse)
Bus · Local bus
Stranraer–Drummore
There is no public transport between Drummore and the Mull of Galloway — walk in or pre-arrange a taxi.
Train · ScotRail
Stranraer station
Change to the Drummore bus in Stranraer.
From finish (Glenapp Kirk)
Bus · Local bus
Glenapp–Stranraer
Stranraer has the railway station. Ferries to Northern Ireland sail from Cairnryan, which the trail passes.
Best months
Accommodation
B&Bs between Drummore and the Mull; hotels in Drummore, Sandhead and Stranraer; more B&Bs in Stranraer and Cairnryan. Caravan parks at Maryport, Drummore, New England Bay, Ardwell, Sandhead, Stranraer, Inermessan and Cairnryan. The recommended overnights are Sandhead and Stranraer. Nothing at Glenapp itself.
Night-by-night guide: where to stay →Resupply
Shops in Drummore, Sandhead and Stranraer. Nothing between Stranraer and Glenapp beyond Cairnryan — carry lunch for the final day.
Connect with
Chain into a longer expedition by combining with adjacent long-distance routes.
Mull of Galloway Trail + Southern Upland Way
Listed as a linked trail by scotlandsgreattrails.com (read 2026-10-27); the SUW starts at Portpatrick on the west side of the Rhins
Pair the two in the Rhins: the Mull of Galloway Trail up to Stranraer, and the Southern Upland Way from Portpatrick east across Scotland.
Mull of Galloway Trail + Ayrshire Coastal Path
The Mull of Galloway Trail finishes at Glenapp, where the Ayrshire Coastal Path begins
Carry on north up the Ayrshire coast — the first step of the chain Scotland's Great Trails describes from the Mull to Cape Wrath.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Mull of Galloway Lighthouse)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:13
- Sunset
- 16:53
- Civil dawn
- 06:36
- Civil dusk
- 17:31
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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